DiscussionFragmentary plaque with dedication to emperors Diocletian and Maximian, possibly from statue monument. Rome, Forum. 286-305. INSCRIPTIONIn four partially surviving lines. Letter height 9.5-7.5 cm. [---] providentissimisque [principibus] / [C(aio) Aur(elio) Val(erio)] Diocletiano et M(arco) Aur(elio) [Val(erio) Maximiano], / [piis, feli]cibus, invictis [Augg(ustis) ---] / [---] f̣eḷịc̣ịssịmum ọṃṇị[um saeculorum (?)] / ------ 'To...the most provident princes, Caius Aurelius Valerius Diocletianus and Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maximianus, pious, fortunate, unconquered Augusti...of the most fortunate of all eras (?)...' The inscription records the dedication of a monument to the emperors Diocletian and Maximian. The nature of the monument is not specified in the part that survives, but the dedicatory inscription and the type of object suggests that it might have been a statue group. DESCRIPTION (personal inspection) Fragment of white marble slab, 41 x 84 x 8 cm. Only the upper-middle part survives, and the length of l. 2 of the inscription suggests that it was a very wide inscription. The surface of the epigraphic field is rough, indicating re-use. There is a rectangular hole, on l. 3. Although it is not certain, it is likely that this piece fronted a larger monument, possibly the base of a statue monument. It is impossible to rule out other types monument, however, such as a restoration dedicated in honour of the emperors. PROVENANCE AND CURRENT LOCATION Our inscription was found in the Roman Forum, on the Sacra Via, in front of the so-called 'temple of Romulus'. It is now in the Lapidario Forense, chiostro superiore, inv. n. 5256. HONORAND, AWARDER AND DATE The inscription records a dedication to Diocletian and Maximian as Augusti, between 286 and 305. The identity of the awarder did not survive. Main ReferenceCorpus Inscriptionum Latinarum; , VI, 31382=40716 |
Last Statues of Antiquity
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