Description: Fragments and blocks of sandstone moulded above and horizontally across the centre
from an entablature with architrave and frieze in one (each block originally 2.20 long).
a. Fragment and adjoining right end of a block (w:
1.73 x h:
0.72 x d:
0.50)
Text: Inscribed on the frieze. i: a + b + c; ii: g + d; iii: e + f; iv: h;
v: i; vi: j.
Letters: 0.20; lunate epsilon and sigma.
Date: CE 364-375
Findspot:
Ptolemais:
Street of the Monuments, south side, probably fallen from a building on the north side;
found in 1935.
Original location: Unknown
Last recorded location:
Lying in the street.
Italian translation
Translation source: Oliverio, DAI, 1933-1936
a only: (essendo- degli ?) imperatori F. Valentiniano [e Fl. Valente] -
English translation
Translation by: Editors
i: [The emperors and Caes]ars Flavius Valentinia[n and Flavius] Valens and Gratian the [eternal A]ugusti . .
ii: -sios the distinguished governor (i.e. clarissimus praeses) . . .
iii: . . . [erected] from the foundations with all [its] decoration . . .
iv-vi: not usefully translatable.
Commentary
Valentinian, Valens and Gratian were emperors together from 364 to 375
It is possible to reconstruct part of the opening formula (i) and identify fragments from the title of the responsible official (ii) from the description of the work executed (iii).
ii: the governor's name ended -sios. The praeses who apparently honoured the same emperors in P.119 had a name ending -ius. He, however, is described as v(ir) p(erfectissimus), not, as here, clarissimus. This may indicate several interventions during the reign, under different governors, to be associated with other evidence for a major rebuilding in this street in the late fourth to fifth century in P.122, P.136 and P.137, very probably to repair damage caused by the earthquake of 364
Bibliography: a: Oliverio, DAI, 1933-1936, 512 (36), p. 252, Pl. CII, fig. 90, whence SEG 9.364, PHI 324213; discussed Kraeling, 1962a, 80-81 with Plate LIV; mentioned Kenrick, 2013, 72.
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds) (a. from photograph)
Images
Fig. 1. Block c and a (Joyce Reynolds, I, 38)
Fig. 2. Block b (Joyce Reynolds, I, 35)
Fig. 3. Block d, in the wall (Joyce Reynolds, I, 33)
Fig. 4. Block d, loose.
Fig. 5. Blocks e and f (Joyce Reynolds, I, 34)
Fig. 6. Block g (Joyce Reynolds, I, 36)