IRCyr   Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica

C.324. Dedication of an altar to Ares

Description: Limestone altar, moulded above and below (w: 0.48 x h: 0.98 x d: 0.35); one of a set of six altars, C.323, C.324, C.325, C.326, C.327, C.328.
Text: Inscribed on one face. a is on the upper moulding, b on the face below.
Letters: Probably second century, 0.08; lunate epsilon. Oliverio recorded rubrication.

Date: Probably second century

Findspot: Cyrene: Fountain Terrace: Found probably in 1931, collected together, the inscriptions were turned face inwards, near the rock face, beside the Byzantine lime kilns.
Original location: Unknown.
Last recorded location: Fountain Terrace.

Interpretive

a
Ἄρει ((leaf))
b
πολυ-
παλά-
( vac. 1)μῳ( vac. 1)

Diplomatic

a
ΑΡΕΙ
b
ΠΟΛΥ
ΠΑΛΑ
  ΜΩ  

English translation

Translation by: Editors

For Ares, of many hands

Commentary

All the altars in this set that can be legible contain unusual elements. There is a discussion by Pugliese-Carratelli (1963).

b: The epithet appears to be unparalleled, and we have not found another epigraphic instance of παλάμης for Ares, but cf. Homer, Iliad III, 128, ὑπ' Ἄρηος παλαμάων (at Perseus).

Bibliography: SECir, 1961-1962, 156.2, fig 116 (drawing only, from T. XXI, 7-10), whence Robert, Bulletin Épigraphique, 1964.570; Catani, 2007, 2 whence SEG 57.2019, Dobias-Lalou, Bulletin Épigraphique, 2008.604.
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).

Images

None available (2020).