Original scientific paper

THREE NEW SEPULCHRAL INSCRIPTIONS FROM ASSERIA

Miroslav Glavičić ; University of Zadar

Abstract

Sepulchral inscriptions reused as cover slabs of Late Roman graves were found during
archaeological campaigns of 2000 and 2001 along the northern trait of the monumental
city walls of Asseria (Fig. 1).
Inscription of T. Plaetorius Postuminus was used as cover plate of the grave 13, the
Late Roman tomb constructed near Trajan’s gate, between the first and the second tower of
the city walls (Fig. 2; Pl. I). The monument is made of white local limestone measuring 100
x 73 x 15 cm (Fig. 3). Nicely worked moulded inscription field (80 x 52) has an inscription
carved in six parallel lines. Lettering is of good monumental scriptura capitalis type. Direction
of text lines is regular, and ordinatio is carefully arranged. Heights of letters proportionately
decline from the first line (8 cm) towards the fifth (5 cm). The end of the inscription
(the 6th line) is emphasised by the letters of the equal height as those in the first line.
Ligatures and diminutions of letters at the ends of the 2nd - 5th lines testify for the
high quality of the stonemason’s work and even to his artistic craftsmanship. Interposition
of filiation between the third and fourth lines can be explained as an intentional playing with
text arrangement, though it may have been just a plain oversight. Triangular distinctions
are carved solely in the first line and at the beginning of the second line.
Restored text of the inscription reads: D(is) M(anibus). / T(ito) Plaeto/rio T(iti)
f(ilio) Postu/mino, Iuli/5a Severina, / fil(io).
The inscription is clear: mother, Iulia Severina commissioned production and setting
up of this monument to her son T. Plaetorius Postuminus. Onomastic analysis has shown
that both Iulia Severina and T. Plaetorius Postuminus were probably members of native Romanised
families. Since they belonged to later generations of the native families that obtained
Roman citizenship either during or in the early 1st century, and since the inscription begins
with the consecration formula D(is) M(anibus), the inscription can be dated in the second
century. [...]

Keywords

SEPULCHRAL; INSCRIPTIONS; ASSERIA

Hrčak ID:

9017

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/9017

Publication date:

26.2.2003.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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