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All French heritage classified by regions, departments and cities

  2. Patrimoine
  3. Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur
  4. Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
  5. 04200 Saint-Geniez

  6. Rock decorated with Gallo-Roman inscription called the Stone Write

 Rock decorated with Gallo-Roman inscription called the Stone Write à Saint-Geniez dans les Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Patrimoine classé
Vestiges Gallo-romain
Borne milliaire

Rock decorated with Gallo-Roman inscription called the Stone Write

    Le Bachas
    04200 Saint-Geniez
Ownership of the municipality
Museums of France
All Gallo-Roman remains of France Mileage
Inscription de la Pierre Écrite de Saint-Geniez
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Roche ornée avec inscription gallo-romaine dite la Pierre Ecrite
Crédit photo : Sébastien Thébault - Sous licence Creative Commons

Timeline

Haut Moyen Âge
Moyen Âge central
Bas Moyen Âge
Renaissance
Temps modernes
Révolution/Empire
XIXe siècle
Époque contemporaine
500
600
…
1900
2000
Ve siècle (second quart)
Burning the inscription
10 mars 1909
Historical Monument
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui

Heritage classified

Gallo-Roman inscription known as the Pierre Written, engraved in the rock: classification by decree of 10 March 1909

Key figures

Claudius Postumus Dardanus - Patrice and prefect of Gauls Fonda Theopolis, honored by the inscription.
Naevia Galla - Wife of Dardanus Clarissime woman, quoted in the tribute.
Claudius Lepidus - Brother of Dardanus Contributed to the works of the passage.
Jean Guyon - Modern Translation Author of the French version displayed.

Origin and history

La Pierre Écrite is a Latin rock engraving located in Saint-Geniez, in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. She pays tribute to Claudus Postumus Dardanus, illustrious man and patrice, as well as to his wife Naevia Galla, for having cut a path into the mountain and built walls and doors, facilitating access to the city of Theopolis, founded by Dardanus after his conversion to Christianity. No remains of this city were found, except perhaps in the crypt of Notre-Dame de Dromon.

The inscription, dated from the second quarter of the 5th century, details the titles of Dardanus: former consular of Viennenoise, master of petitions, quaestor, and prefect of the magistrate of Gauls. She also mentions her brother, Claudius Lepidus, consular of Germanie premier, who contributed to the work. The text highlights their commitment to public safety, with divine help, as evidenced by the translation of Jean Guyon posted on the spot.

Classified as a Historical Monument in 1909, this inscription is a rare example of late Gallo-Roman epigraphy in Provence. It illustrates the influence of local elites in spatial planning and the progressive Christianization of the Southern Alps. Historical research (Chatillon, Marrou, Connoly) underlines its importance in understanding the foundation of Theopolis and the role of Dardanus, correspondent of Saints Jerome and Augustine.

La Pierre Écrite is on a rock near the road leading to Saint-Geniez, in a landscape marked by the Alpine gorges. Its state of conservation and its exact location (accuracy: 5/10 according to Monumentum) make it an accessible site, although little known. The property belongs to the commune, and the in situ explanatory sign allows visitors to understand its historical and religious context.

External links

Page Wikipedia
Page Monumentum