IRCyr   Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica

M.201. Mile X: Milestone of Philip I

Description: Limestone column reconstructed from three pieces (h: 2.09 x diam.: 0.43), the surface in poor condition.
Text: Inscribed on the face.
Letters: 0.05-0.06, irregularly cut. Traces of red paint.

Date: CE 247

Findspot: Gebel Akhdar: West of Cyrene: Balagrae, with M.199, M.200, M.202; found in 1959.
Original location: Cyrene-Ptolemais road: Mile X.
Last recorded location: Cyrene Museum.

Interpretive

Imp(erator) Cae[s(ar) M(arcus) I]ul(ius)
Philippus piụ[s]
[Fe]lix inu<i>ctu[s Aug(ustus)]
[pontifex] m[a-]
5ximus [trib(unicia)]
pot[(estate) co(n)s(ul) proco(n)s(ul)]
[p(ater)] p(atriae) [et M(arcus) Iul(ius)]
Philippus
nobilissimus
10Caes(ar) co(n)s(ul) Aug(ustus)
restituerunt
a Cyrenis
( vac. 1 line)
m(ilia) p(assuum) X

Diplomatic

IMPCAE[....]UL
PHILIPPUSPI.[.]
[..]LIXINUCTU[.....]
[........]M[.-]
5XIMUS[....]
POT[...........]
[.]P[........]
PHILIPPUS
NOBILISSIMUS
10CAESCOSAUG
RESTITUERUNT
ACYRENIS
     vacat
MPX

English translation

Translation by: Charlotte Roueché

Emperor Cae[sar M(arcus)] Jul(ius) Philippus, Pious, Fortunate, Invincible [Aug(ustus)?], high [priest, holding tribunician] power [for the - time, consul, proconsul, father] of the fatherland, [and M(arcus) Iul(ius)] Philip, most noble Caesar, consul, Aug(ustus): they restored (scil. the road) from Cyrene. 10 miles.

Commentary

One of three milestones of Philip on this road: M.195, M.197, M.201, with probably M.160; this is the fullest surviving text..

Line 3: The addition of Augustus lengthens the line surprisingly but seems necessary unless perhaps AVG in line 10 should be read AVGG - but that too would be unusual; for a similar problem see M.197, the milestone of Philip at the eighth mile

Line 10: The young Philip became consul on 1st Jan. 247, Augustus in August 246 and consul II on 1st Jan. 248; assuming the text to have been drafted accurately it must belong to the second half of 247.

Bibliography: Goodchild, 1971 170-71, whence AE 1973.561, EDH 011633
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).

Images

   Fig. 1. Reconstructed Monument (Department of Antiquities, F. 4429)

   Fig. 2. From left: M.201 (upper fragment); M.200 (Department of Antiquities, F. 4372)

   Fig. 3. From left: M.201 (upper fragment); M.200 (Department of Antiquities, F. 4372)

   Fig. 4. 6 milestones: from left M.160; M.201; Unidentified; M.195; M.196; Unidentified (1966, September)

   Fig. 5. 4 milestones: from left, M.201; Unidentified; M.195; M.196 (1966, September)

   Fig. 6. Middle part (lines 5-7) and lower (lines 8-13) (Department of Antiquities, F 4369)


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