Informal dedication
created: Transcription (Reynolds).
source date: Second half of the second or third century CE
language: ar; en; fr; de; grc; grc-Latn; el; he

Bibliography

[...], B.v, whence [...], 1976.793; [...], 6.v, whence [...] 28.1554.

τὸ προσκύνημα Μάρκου Λικινίου Πάριδος ἱεροφάντου

Translation

The obeisance of Marcus Licinius Paris, hierophant

Commentary

The nomen here may be Μ[α]ικινιου; τοῦ was incorrectly inserted before. Paris (whether M. Licinius or Maecinius) appears to have Roman citizenship. These two examples of devotion (see also B.7) imply the presence of a shrine or image in the room, before which obeisance is made. Conceivably they refer to the Tyche scratched on the wall (see B.10), but Zeus Sarapis seems more probable (see B.9). The Latin graffiti B.4, B.5, B.6 appear to show the Campanian connection continuing late in the second century CE In this text, if Licinius is the correct nomen the writer cannot safely be connected with any area of origin; but Maecinius would provide a South Italian link again. His function as a hierophant was to teach sacred rites in a mystery cult, perhaps that of Zeus Sarapis.