Description:
Block of sandstone (visible, w:
1.03 x h:
0.58 x d:
0.58)
once moulded above, probably an architrave block from a Doric entablature.
Text: Inscribed on the exposed face.
Letters: Line 1, 0.095; line 2, 0.09; line 3, 0.07; tall I in lines 1-2; an ivy leaf stop in line 2 and possibly in line 1.
Date: 117-138 CE
Findspot:
Taucheira:
West Extramural Church partially buried in the nave, in which it had clearly been re-used;
found in 1960.
Original location: Unknown.
Last recorded location:
Findspot.
Apparatus
English translation
Translation by: Charlotte Roueché
Emperor Caesar [Trajan Hadrian Augustus (scil. son)] of deified Trajan, victor in Parthia, (scil. grandson)] of deified Nerva, Chief Priest, holding tribunician power [ . . .
Commentary
This is probably Hadrian, whose names and titles fit the spacing much better than Trajan's; the text was clearly from a public building and the use of Latin indicates imperial sponsorship so that the imperial name is likely to be in the nominative case.
There is no clue to the precise date, but it may well belong early in Hadrian's reign, in the context of restoration after the Jewish Revolt of CE 115.
Bibliography:
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).
Images
Fig. 1. Face (D. Smith, 32.4)
Fig. 2. Face
Fig. 3. Face (Joyce Reynolds, 61)