DiscussionBase for statues of Constantius I and Galerius, emperors. Lepcis Magna (Tripolitania). 305-306. INSCRIPTIONIn five lines: Fortissimis et invictissimis imperatoribus, / dd(ominis) nn(ostris) M(arco) Flavio Valerio Constantio, p(io), f(elici), invicto Aug(usto), et / [[[C(aio) Galerio Va]lerio Maximia[no, pio, fel(ici), invi]cto [A]ug(usto)]], / Lepcitani, devoti numini maiestatique eorum, / publice. 'To the most powerful and most unconquered emperors, our lords Marcus Flavius Valerius Constantius, pious, fortunate, unconquered Augustus, and Gaius Galerius Valerius Maximianus, pious, fortunate, unconquered Augustus; the people of Lepcis (Lepcitani), devoted to their divine spirit and majesty, [set this up] with public funds.' Letter height 5-7 cm. The name and titles of Galerius (line 3) have been erased but are still partly legible. DESCRIPTION Large rectangular limestone base made up of a long rectangular shaft set on a moulded plinth (a corresponding crowning element is lost). Shaft and plinth are chipped along their margins: H 108, W 212, D 96 cm. Our dedication is the third use of this base which was originally for an equestrian statue, with its inscription on one of its short sides (the left side relative to our inscription); this first use can be dated by the shape of the mouldings to the late 2nd/early 3rd century (Tantillo & Bigi 2010, 245). At an unknown time, but before the tetrarchic period, this first-use inscription was erased and the epigraphic field hollowed out; and into the resulting cavity a panel carrying a new dedication was inserted and fixed with four dowels. In a second period of re-use, our dedication, with its inscription to Constantius and Galerius, was carved on one of the long sides of the base. PROVENANCE AND CURRENT LOCATION The base is standing on the Severan forum of Leptis, in the eastern portico, in front of the northern end of the monumental exedra connecting the forum with the Basilica (map in Tantillo & Bigi 2010, pl. 1); this is its original location (Tantillo & Bigi 2010, 317). HONORANDS, AWARDER AND DATE Constantius I, the first honorand, was Augustus 305-6; Galerius, the second honorand, 305-11. The dedication therefore dates from the common reign of the two emperors, 305-6. The inscription was set up by the people of Lepcis, with public funds (lines 4-5). FURTHER DISCUSSION The erasure of Galerius’ name reoccurs on numerous inscriptions, in Africa and elsewhere. The reasons are hard to determine. The prevalent explanations are that it happened on Constantine I’s initiative after he had gained sole rule, to erase the name of the Augustus who had preferred Severus to himself, or, perhaps more plausibly, that it was on Maxentius’ order after he had defeated Galerius in Italy in 307 (Tantillo & Bigi 2010, 319). This base for statues to both of the Augusti of the second tetrarchy was possibly accompanied by a similar one to the Caesars, Severus and Maximinus Daia, of which, however, no trace has been found. Only a conventional single base to Severus, possibly contemporary with our inscription, is preserved in the forum of Lepcis (LSA-2150); no honours to Maximinus Daia survive (and throughout Africa he is only rarely commemorated). On the forum of Lepcis, a base similar to ours in form, dimensions, and history, was later erected (in 352/4) to carry statues of Constantius II and Constantius Gallus (LSA-2153). Main ReferenceTantillo, I. and F. Bigi (eds.), Leptis Magna. Una città e le sue iscrizioni in epoca tardoromana, Cassino 2010, 317-320, no. 3, figs. 7.23, 8.13, 10.3-4Lepelley, C., Les cités de l’Afrique romaine au Bas-Empire, I-II, Paris 1979-1981, vol. II p. 341 with n. 26 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. 462 |
Last Statues of Antiquity
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