No 4

Location: Two ships placed above the previous ex-voto scene, on the last or easternmost marble column of the balustrade in the western part of the southern gallery, right next to the left edge of the so-called "Gate of Heaven and Hell".

Material: Marble surface, 6th century.

Dimensions: No. 1 - height 12 cm, length 28 cm, at 125 cm from the floor level; No. 2 - height 2 cm, length 19 cm, at 135 cm from the floor level.

Condition: Shallow carving, intersected by others.

Technique: Incised.

Description: Ship # 1 is a medieval rowing-sailing vessel, on a starboard tack, viewed from its port side. It features an elongated and highly curved hull with a flat deck and sharply raised stem and stern. The stern section is more massive and culminates in a sterncastle, indicated by vertical lines and two short notches. The single mast carries a long yard without a sail. Part of the rigging is shown: two slanted lines descend from the masthead, and a curved line runs from the port yardarm down to the deck. Amidships, on the starboard side, two oars are indicated, while at the stern, the traditional pair of large, wide steering oars for steering is depicted. One is shown in full, while the other is only marked by a slanted line. Both blades, shaped like triangles attached to a short loom, are symmetrical. The prow is characteristic. Ahead of it, a flag facing left is depicted, hoisted on a long flagstaff with two elements shaped like the letter "X" on each side.
Ship # 2 represents a medieval vessel, on a starboard tack, viewed from its port side. It has an elongated hull with a pointed bow, a flat deck, and a more rounded stern. The top of the gunwale is marked by a horizontal railing. A sterncastle is hinted at on the stern. Near the vessel, a pointed structure is visible, with a base made of two triangles oriented with their points downward.

Type: No. 1 - C/Ib; No. 2 - B/Ia.

Attribution: No 1 - Large (merchant) galley or galea grossa; No 2 - Light galley.

Publications: Tomov, Potajnostite na "Sv. Sofia", 73-77.

Commentary: Tomov, Potajnostite na "Sv. Sofia", 74-77.

Date: 14th - 15th century AD.