Description: Part of a sandstone
gable with frieze cut on the same block; two fasciae below the gable, with a simple moulding above each (w:
1.42 x h:
0.43 x d:
0.33).
Text: Inscribed on the two fasciae.
Letters: Probably second-third century: 0.085; rather elaborate and without parallel in Cyrenaica so far: leaf stop in line 1
Date: Second to third centuries CE
Findspot:
Ptolemais:
West Necropolis, on the northern side of the Tolmeita to Tocra road, in a tumble of stones from a sizeable mausoleum.
Found in 1968.
Original location: In the mausoleum.
Last recorded location:
Unknown.
English translation
Translation by: Editors
. . . ] and president at the games, commander of the cohort B[ . . . commander] of the seventh Phrygian squadron [ . . .
Commentary
It is uncertain whether the eques Romanus of this inscription was a local man whose civil office was held in Ptolemais or an official of the Roman government who died there during a tour of duty. Agonothetes are not otherwise attested at Ptolemais but may in fact have been appointed, e.g. for ephebic contests.
Line 1: In view of the description of the ala in line 2, B is probably the initial of the cohort name and not a figure. A military tribunate in a legion will have followed the cohort command.
Line 2: The unit was in Syria Palaestina in the middle second century; see CIL XVI.87, 103, AE 1994, 1914, AE 2005, 1730, 1733, available at EDH HD022814, HD027802, HD062209, HD055984 , HD055982,
Bibliography: Bazama-Reynolds, 1978-1979, 259, whence SEG 37.1713
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).
Images
Fig. 1. Face (1969, Reynolds NS.I.36)