DiscussionBase for statue, apparently of Justinian I, emperor. Samothrace (Insulae). 527-565 INSCRIPTION(On the crown moulding): D(omino) n(ostro) Fl(auio) Iustini(ano). 'To our Lord Flavius Iustinianus'. (On the field of the base): [Ἀγαθῇ τύ]χ[ῃ] / [Ἀυτ]οκράτο[ρα] (4 lines) [----]ΟΔΕ[---]. 'To good fortune. (This honours) the emperor ....'. DESCRIPTION (from the published drawings and photos) Tall base, richly moulded at top and bottom on all sides, almost certainly in origin early imperial. Partly broken on proper right side of upper moulding, minor breaks at the edges of the shaft. The surface is badly weathered with cracks and chips over the entire surface. The upper moulding is decorated with a flat relief of branches. H 124 cm, W 78 cm (measurements according to Bouzek & Ondrejova 1985, 135, which differ slightly from those of Salviat 1962). PROVENANCE/ LOCATION The base was found in 1927 by a Czechoslovak excavation team in the centre of the ancient town, on the road leading to the Gattilusi-towers (Bouzek & Ondrejova 1985, 135), where it still stands. HONORAND AND DATE Whereas Salviat 1962 and Bouzek & Ondrejova 1985 were only able to read [Ἀυτ]οκράτο[ρα], the reading was extended by L'Année Épigraphique 1995 to include the imperial name in Latin on the crown moulding (as well as some further letters of the Greek). The only emperor whose name matches the abbreviation on the moulding is Justinian I, emperor 527-65 (full name Flavius Petrus Sabbatius Iustinianus; the two emperors Justin I and Justin II were only known as 'Iustinus'). Some doubts must remain, however, about this reading and identification, given the poor state of preservation of the base's surface, the fact that earlier scholars failed to see the vital letters, and the anomalous mixing of Latin and Greek in the resulting reading. FURTHER DISCUSSION The Czechoslovak team found another, similar base on the same spot, but without inscription. Assuming the reading of Justinian's name is correct, this is a very late example of an imperial statue set up in a provincial town (see, also to Justinian, LSA-365 in Pisidian Antioch). Main ReferenceSupplementum epigraphicum graecum, Amsterdam 1923-, 45, 1995 no. 1200Discussion ReferencesBouzek, J. & Ondrejová, I., Samothrace 1923/1927/1978 : the results of the Czechoslovak excavations in 1927 conducted by A. Salač and J. Nepomucký and the unpublished results of the 1923 Franco- Czechoslovak excavations conducted by A. Salač and F. Chapouthier, Praha 1985 , p. 135, fig. 96, 98, pl. 110, 111 L'Année épigraphique, , 1995 no. 1355 Salviat, F., Addenda Samothraciens, BCH 86, 268-304, 1962, 281 no. 7, 282 fig. 11 |
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