Earliest Evidence of Christianity North of the Alps: Discovery of a 3rd-Century Silver Amulet in Germany
In a groundbreaking discovery, archaeologists in Frankfurt am Main have unearthed a silver amulet containing the earliest known evidence of Christianity north of the Alps. This mid-3rd century artifact, found in a Roman burial site, features an 18-line Latin inscription that references Jesus Christ, shedding new light on the spread of early Christianity in Europe.
Discovery and Analysis
The amulet was discovered in 2018 during excavations of a cemetery near the former Roman town of Nida, in Frankfurt’s Praunheim district. It was found in the grave of a man aged between 35 and 45, alongside burial goods that date the interment to approximately 230–270 AD. The silver capsule, measuring 35mm in length and 9mm in width, contained a rolled silver foil inscribed with Latin text.
Due to the foil’s fragility, researchers employed advanced imaging techniques, such as computed tomography (CT scans), to virtually unroll and decipher the inscription. The findings mark a turning point in understanding the role of Christian communities in Roman Germania, where evidence of Christianity was previously sparse.
Significance of the Inscription
The inscription is notable for its exclusively Christian content, which:
- Invokes Saint Titus for protection.
- Includes the Trisagion (“holy, holy, holy”), one of the earliest liturgical prayers in Christianity.
- Quotes Philippians 2:10-11, demonstrating familiarity with early Christian scriptures.
This discovery predates previous evidence of Christianity in the region by 50 to 100 years, suggesting that Christians existed and practiced their faith clandestinely in northern Europe under the Roman Empire.
Unlike other amulets of the time, which often contained a mix of pagan and Christian elements, this artifact is uniquely and unmistakably Christian, underscoring the distinct identity of early believers in a time of persecution.
The Inscription: Latin and English Translation
The full Latin inscription reads:
Sancte Tite, adiuta. Sancte Tite, adiuta. Sancte Tite, adiuta. Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Iesus Christus, Filius Dei, qui est super caelos, qui sedet super cherubim et seraphim. Adiuta me, sancte Tite. Iesus Christus, Filius Dei vivi, miserere mei. Iesus Christus, Filius Dei vivi, miserere mei. Qui nomina eius invocant salvus erit.
Translation in English:
“Saint Titus, help me. Saint Titus, help me. Saint Titus, help me. Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is above the heavens, who sits above the cherubim and seraphim. Help me, Saint Titus. Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me. Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, have mercy on me. Whoever calls on His name will be saved.”
Implications for Early Christian History
The amulet provides profound evidence of Christian practices and beliefs during a period when Christians faced intense persecution under Roman rule. The repeated invocations to Jesus Christ and Saint Titus demonstrate a deeply held faith, as well as a reliance on divine protection through sacred names and scripture.
Its liturgical phrasing aligns with Christian texts and prayers still in use today, further cementing its historical and theological importance. Such artifacts reveal how early Christians expressed their devotion and maintained their faith, often in secret.
Artifact Details
- Date: Approximately 230–270 AD
- Size: 35mm in length, 9mm in width
- Material: Silver capsule containing a rolled silver foil
- Origin: Roman Germania (modern-day Frankfurt, Germany)
This discovery not only rewrites the timeline for Christianity’s spread into northern Europe but also gives us a deeply personal glimpse into the spiritual life of an early believer, preserved for nearly 1,800 years.
