WP 0005

IRT2021
Inscriptions of Roman Tripolitania 2021

0076. Dedication to a third century emperor

Description: Two fragments from the upper left-hand corner of a marble panel (together, w: 0.19 x h: 0.31).
Text: Inscribed on one face.
Letters: Third century capitals: line 1, 0.05; remainder, 0.045.

Date: Third century CE (lettering, titulature)

Findspot: Sabratha: Regio I, Capitolium, found in the vaults; see note on 1.
Original location: Unknown
Last recorded location: Findspot

Interpretive

Imp(eratori) C[aes(ari) ---]
po[nt(ifici) max(imo) ---]
Persico m[aximo ---]
pater [---]

Diplomatic

IMPC[...---]
PO[......---]
PERSICOM[.....---]
PATER[---]

English translation

Translation by: J. M. Reynolds

To Emperor Caesar [---, chief] priest [---], greatest victor in Persia, [---] father [---]

Commentary

Third century emperors with this title are Severus Alexander 222-235, Philip in 244, Gallienus 253-268, Vaballathus 270-271, Carus 282-3, Carinus 283-5, Diocletian 284-305. From the style of the lettering the inscription can hardly be later.

Bibliography: IRT, 1952, 76, whence IRT, 2009, 76, whence EDH 059067; for BSR images see BSR Digital Collections.

Images

   Fig. 1. Ward-Perkins Archive, BSR (Sopr CS 218 (part))

   Fig. 2. From left: 140 (part), 139, 76: Ward-Perkins Archive, BSR (Sopr. DS 785 Leica

   Fig. 3. From left: 139, 76: Ward-Perkins Archive, BSR (Sopr. DS 785 Leica)

   Fig. 4. From left: 76, 172; Ward-Perkins Archive, BSR (Sopr. DS 784 Leica)

   Fig. 5. Ward-Perkins Archive, BSR (Sopr. CS 218)