Base for statue of Flavius Archontius Nilus, military commander and governor (comes et praeses) of Tripolitania, patron of Lepcis (later re-used for LSA-2173). Lepcis Magna (Tripolitania). 355-361.
PROVENANCE AND LOCATION
City:
Lepcis Magna
Province:
Tripolitania
Region:
North Africa, Eastern (Tripolitania and Cyrenaica)
Details:
Severan Forum, eastern part of piazza
Current Location:
Where found
OBJECT
Object:
Base
Material:
Marble
Re-Use?
Yes
Form:
Rectangular
Height(cm):
115
Width(cm):
80
Depth(cm):
80
Language:
Latin
Text Type:
Prose
SUBJECT
Honorand:
Flavius Archontius Nilus, military commander and governor (comes et praeses) of Tripolitania
Position:
Provincial Governors
Gender:
Male
Awarder:
People of Lepcis (Lepcimagnenses)
Position:
Provincial Cities, their Institutions and Officials
DATE
Earliest:
355
Latest :
361
MAIN REFERENCE
Tantillo, I. and F. Bigi (eds.), Leptis Magna. Una città e le sue iscrizioni in epoca tardoromana, Cassino 2010, 389-391, no.40, figs. 8.6, 10.47-48, pl. IX
Reynolds, J. M. & J. B. Ward-Perkins, The Inscriptions of Roman Tripolitania. In collaboration with S. Aurigemma, R. Bartoccini, G. Caputo, R. Goodchild, P. Romanelli, Roma 1952, no. 562
INSCRIPTION
Text:
Nilii. Nili[i]. / Vigiliis atque consilio domi forisque prae/stanti, integritate praecipuo, iustitia et iu/diciorum moderatione perpenso, instaura/tori moenium publicorum, ordinis ci(vi)umque om/nium salutis providentissimo, custodi verita/tis, honestatis et fidei amicissimo, /(8) Flavio Archontio Nilo v(iro) p(erfectissimo), comiti et praesidi / prov(inciae) Trip(olitanae), patrono optimo, ob infinita eius be/neficia, quibus vel separatim vel cum omni pro/vincia sublevati ac recreati Lepcimagnenses /(12) gratulamur uno consensu ordinis viri, / secundam statuam decreverunt eamque / propter praecipuum eius meritum singu/laremque praestantiam in Severiano /(16) foro ad sempiternam posteritatis me/moriam constituendam curaverunt.
Trans:
(Statue of) Nilus. (Statue of) Nilus. To a man outstanding in vigilance and advice at home and abroad (= in peace and war), foremost by integrity, measured by justice and the moderation of his judgements, the restorer of public buildings, a most far-seeing guardian of the safety of the council (ordo) and of all citizens, safeguarder of truth and the greatest friend of honesty and loyalty, Flavius Archontius Nilus, of perfectissimus rank, military commander (comes) and governor (praeses) of the province of Tripolitania. To the best patron, on account of his infinite good deeds by which both separately and with the entire province they have been raised and reborn, the people of Lepcis Magna (Lepcimagnenses) show their joy; unanimously the men of the council (ordo) decreed a second statue, and because of his exceptional merit and his unique excellence they took care that it was set up in the Severan forum to the eternal memory of future generations.
