English translation

Translation by: Editors

(a): . . . ] consul [ . . . ] was responsible for the construction [ . . .

(b): . . . ] fellow-soldiers [ . . .

Commentary

Probably from the Fountain Gate, abutting the SE angle of the Caesareum, at the entrance to the Street of King Battus I. Applebaum wrongly associated these stones with C.5, which must record restoration of damage done in the Jewish Revolt of 115 CE and is therefore inconsistent with the reference to a completely new building in a, line 2 here. The date of this building, which is unexcavated, is not known, but it is certainly earlier than the third century circuit wall and could go back to the second century, so that this inscription may be the record of its first construction.

a. Probably from the titles of an emperor, since the proconsul is more likely to have been named as the official active in line 2.

b. Clearly soldiers, and more probably serving soldiers than veteran colonists. A garrison is attested at Cyrene under Severus (C.183) and under Gordian (C.75), and may well have existed throughout. There are some indications that the third century garrison was active in this area, and if the building to which the inscription belongs is rightly identified, it was perhaps erected as part of the military quarters. The suggestion is that the donor was a soldier providing for his fellow soldiers and this sort of language is possible both for an emperor (cf. Suetonius, Galba XX, at Perseus) and a serving soldier (ILS 2092).

Images

   Fig. 1. Block a (BSR 49. XXII.22)

   Fig. 2. Block a (1937 December 15, Department of Antiquities, D.696)

   Fig. 3. Block b (1938 April 1, Department of Antiquities, F.3372)

   Fig. 4. Block b (2008, H.Walda)