Description: Block of limestone
broken in three, comprising a metope between two sets of triglyphs
(w:
0.85 x h:
0.45 x d:
0.48).
Text: Inscribed on the metope; the face has deteriorated badly since discovery.
Letters: Probably first century CE: 0.09.
Date: Probably first century CE
Findspot:
Cyrene:
Baths of Trajan, built into the enclosure wall to the south;
found in 1928.
Original location: Unknown.
Last recorded location:
Lying beside the Temple of Athena (2008).
Oliverio suggested [...]μα τῶι[...] / [...]Βεσπα[σιανῶι...].
English translation
Translation by: Editors
(Not usefully translatable)
Commentary
Reynolds points out that would be normal for a text cut within a metope to be self-contained; but IGCyr108500 (not known to Reynolds at the time) provides a contrary example, and would support Oliverio's interpretation, and suggest a reference to a Flavian emperor. It seems just possible that we have here a female name Ματώι, and patronymic or husband's name in the genitive, Βεσπα; Ματω is attested in Asia Minor (so LGPN), but Βεσπας is not.
Bibliography: Oliverio, 1930, 7, p.172 fig. 36, whence SEG 9.162, PHI 324013.
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).
Images
Fig. 1. Face (Department of Antiquities, E.1105)
Fig. 2. Face (2008, H.Walda)
Fig. 3. Detail (2008, H.Walda)
Fig. 4. View of block (2008, H.Walda)