Alexamenos Graffito
The earliest picture of the crucifixion — a mocking scratch on a Roman wall
Found 1857 — Raffaele Garrucci, during excavation of the Paedagogium (imperial page school) on the Palatine Hill
Where Palatine Hill, Rome (Paedagogium / Domus Gelotiana) (Italy)
Dates from c. 200 CE (late 2nd–early 3rd century) · Roman Imperial · Ridicule of believers in Rome
Now at Palatine Museum (Museo Palatino), Rome
How Alexamenos Graffito was found
Found scratched into the plaster of a room in the servants' quarters of the imperial palace on the Palatine; cut out and moved to the museum for protection.
What it is
A crude drawing of a man with a donkey's head fixed to a cross, seen from behind, with a smaller figure raising a hand toward him, and the Greek caption ΑΛΕΞΑΜΕΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΕΤΕ ΘΕΟΝ, 'Alexamenos worships (his) god.' In a nearby room another scratch says 'Alexamenos is faithful.'
Why it matters for the Bible
Paul wrote that the message of the cross is 'foolishness' to Gentiles and a 'stumbling block' to Jews. This graffito shows exactly that scorn: a palace slave mocked for worshipping a crucified man, drawn with the donkey head pagans used to slander Jews and Christians. It is the oldest known image of Yeshua on the cross, made not by believers but by a mocker, and the second graffito suggests Alexamenos or a friend answered back.
The Hebrew word: tse-LAHV
צְלָב
צְלָב is pronounced tse-LAHV and means cross (Greek stauros) (Strong's G4716).
People this discovery connects to
- Jesus — יֵשׁוּעַ (yeh-SHOO-ah) — YHVH saves
- Paul — שָׁאוּל (Shah-OOL) — asked for
Places
- Rome — רוֹמִי (RO-mee) — Greek Rhome
Events
Mockery of believers in the imperial household · Believers among 'Caesar's household' (Philippians 4:22)
Alexamenos Graffito in Scripture
Matthew 1:1 First mention of Jesus in Scripture.
1 Corinthians 1:23 'Messiah crucified... foolishness to Gentiles' — the very attitude the graffito shows.
Philippians 4:22 Believers 'of Caesar's household' — Alexamenos was one such palace servant.
Questions people ask
What is Alexamenos Graffito?
A crude drawing of a man with a donkey's head fixed to a cross, seen from behind, with a smaller figure raising a hand toward him, and the Greek caption ΑΛΕΞΑΜΕΝΟϹ ϹΕΒΕΤΕ ΘΕΟΝ, 'Alexamenos worships (his) god.' In a nearby room another scratch says 'Alexamenos is faithful.'
When was Alexamenos Graffito discovered?
It was found in 1857 by Raffaele Garrucci, during excavation of the Paedagogium (imperial page school) on the Palatine Hill, at Palatine Hill, Rome (Paedagogium / Domus Gelotiana).
Where is Alexamenos Graffito today?
Palatine Museum (Museo Palatino), Rome.
Which Bible verses does Alexamenos Graffito relate to?
Matthew 1:1, 1 Corinthians 1:23, Philippians 4:22.
Related discoveries
- גֻּלְגֹּלֶתSkull Hill (Gordon's Calvary)The rocky knoll above the East Jerusalem bus station that Protestants proposed as Golgotha
- בֵּית הָאֲסוּרִיםMamertine Prison (Carcer Tullianum), RomeThe Forum dungeon where tradition holds Peter and Paul were held before death
- עֵדSarcophagus of Paul at St Paul Outside the WallsThe Ostian Way tomb inscribed 'To Paul, apostle and martyr'
- מְנוֹרָהJewish Catacombs of Rome and the Synagogue InscriptionsVigna Randanini and Villa Torlonia — the graves of the community Paul wrote to
- אֲרוֹן הַקֹּדֶשׁOstia SynagogueThe oldest synagogue building in Europe, at Rome's harbour town
- יֵשׁוּעַThe Talpiot Tomb ('Jesus Family Tomb')A first-century family tomb with common names that a 2007 film claimed held Yeshua's family
Sources
- Wikipedia, 'Alexamenos graffito'
- P. Keresztes, 'The Alexamenos Graffito', in Imperial Rome and the Christians (1989)