IRCyr   Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica

P.90. Fragmentary ephebic inscription

Description: Two adjoining fragments from the lower left side of a moulded marble panel (w: 0.22 x h: 0.23 x d: 0.015).
Text: Inscribed on one face; a rough incised wreath with pendant ribbons below the text.
Letters: Third-fourth centuries CE: 0.012 – 0.014.

Date: Third-fourth centuries CE

Findspot: Ptolemais: in the fill over the Villa of the Four Seasons; found in 1957.
Original location: Unknown.
Last recorded location: Tolmeita Museum

Interpretive

------
Ποτα̣[μων ---]
( vac. 3) Φ[---]
φίλοι̣ πάν̣[των]
ἄμαχοι δ[ιὰ]
5 ( vac. 3) βίου ( vac. 3)

Diplomatic

------
ΠΟΤ.[...---]
      Φ[---]
ΦΙΛΟ.ΠΑ.[...]
ΑΜΑΧΟΙΔ[..]
5      ΒΙΟΥ      

English translation

Translation by: Editors

Pota[mon] (scil. and) Ph[- . . ], friends of all, unconquerable throughout their lives.

Commentary

According to Kraeling, the wreath suggested a funerary text to Klaffenbach. But for the use of φίλοι to link two names see on P.9, and for the expressions φίλος πᾶσι, φίλος πάντων see on P.22, P.66, all ephebic texts at Ptolemais. The wreath is presumably a reference to victory in ephebic contests; for an overt reference to such contests see P.167. For a similar text see P.393.

Bibliography: Kraeling, 1962, 9.
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).

Images

   Fig. 1. Face (1957, Kraeling, The Oriental Institute - Chicago, 48638)