- Archaeology, Latin Epigraphy, Latin, Roman Epigraphy, Roman Provincial Archaeology, Archaeology of Roman Dalmatia, and 33 moreRoman Army, Roman Military Diplomas, Migrations In Roman Empire, Dalmatians In Roman Empire, Salona, Split Before Diocletian, Roman provincial administration, Roman Onomastics, Corpus inscriptionum Latinarum, History, Humanities, Classical Archaeology, Instrumentum Inscriptum, Roman Economy, Roman Archaeology, Roman Dalmatia, Roman navy, Roman fleet, Ancient Illyricum, Digital epigraphy, Epigraphy, Epigraphy (Archaeology), Roman History, Roman Empire, Acculturation and 'Romanisation', Roman social history, Roman military history, Photogrammetry, Digital Photogrammetry applied to Archaeology, Digital Photogrammetry, Late Antiquity, Late Antique Archaeology, and Heavy Metal Musicedit
This paper presents three thus far unpublished epigraphic monuments used as spolia. All three were registered in the narrower urban core of Split, i.e., in the area of Diocletian’s Palace.1 Two are on the façades of buildings, and one is... more
This paper presents three thus far unpublished epigraphic monuments used as spolia. All three were registered in the narrower urban core of Split, i.e., in the area of Diocletian’s Palace.1 Two are on the façades
of buildings, and one is built into a courtyard wall. All of these fragments were originally parts of grave monuments: a funerary altar, a stele or titulus, and a sarcophagus or stele. The origin of these spolia cannot be established with any certainty, since they were all built into structures that considerably post-date Diocletian’s Palace. It is assumed that the two fragments built into façades had not been published until now
because they had previously been covered with stucco which had been removed in the meantime. These two monuments may be dated to the 1st to 3rd centuries, i.e., prior to Diocletian’s Palace, while the remaining
fragment may have possibly belonged to a later period. The texts of the inscriptions reveal several names that are rather rare in the inscriptions of Dalmatia.
of buildings, and one is built into a courtyard wall. All of these fragments were originally parts of grave monuments: a funerary altar, a stele or titulus, and a sarcophagus or stele. The origin of these spolia cannot be established with any certainty, since they were all built into structures that considerably post-date Diocletian’s Palace. It is assumed that the two fragments built into façades had not been published until now
because they had previously been covered with stucco which had been removed in the meantime. These two monuments may be dated to the 1st to 3rd centuries, i.e., prior to Diocletian’s Palace, while the remaining
fragment may have possibly belonged to a later period. The texts of the inscriptions reveal several names that are rather rare in the inscriptions of Dalmatia.
Research Interests:
Članak opisuje natpis na poklopcu sarkofaga pronađenog u Vranjicu. Uklesan je za bračni par Saturnina i Justinu, koji su umrli u ljeto 541. godine. Saturnin je bio vaginarij (vaginarius), odnosno izrađivač korica mačeva i noževa, što je... more
Članak opisuje natpis na poklopcu sarkofaga pronađenog u Vranjicu. Uklesan je za bračni par Saturnina i Justinu, koji su umrli u ljeto 541. godine. Saturnin je bio vaginarij (vaginarius), odnosno izrađivač korica mačeva i noževa, što je iznimno rijetko epigrafski potvrđeno zanimanje.
Spomenik je apsolutno datiran konzulom, indikcijskom godinom, datumom i danom u tjednu, što ga čini dosad najpreciznije datiranim antičkim natpisom u Dalmaciji. Uklapa se u epigrafsku praksu Salone 6. stoljeća u kojoj se zamjetno češće nego u drugim periodima na spomenicima navodi zanimanje pokojnika. Autori smatraju da podatak o izrađivaču korica ukazuje na nastavak djelovanja salonitanske radionice oružja tijekom 6. stoljeća (fabrica Salonitana armorum) za koju je, prema Notitia dignitatum i još jednom natpisu, potvrđeno da je postojala u 4. i 5. stoljeću. Svojim je stilskim obilježjima ovaj natpis pomogao usko datirati jedan vojnički natpis na sarkofagu koji bi se mogao povezati s periodom bizantsko-gotskih sukoba na salonitanskom području oko
535. godine. Kako su oboje pokojnika pokopani u isto vrijeme, pomišlja se da su mogli biti žrtve nasilne smrti ili neke akutne bolesti. Upravo je u razdoblju od 541. do 543. godine na Mediteranu zabilježena epidemija tzv. Justinijanske kuge, od koje je umrla otprilike četvrtina stanovnika
tadašnje populacije. Salona je bila lučki grad i do nje je kuga, koja se Sredozemljem proširila iz Egipta, mogla lako doći brodovima već u ljeto 541. godine.
Spomenik je apsolutno datiran konzulom, indikcijskom godinom, datumom i danom u tjednu, što ga čini dosad najpreciznije datiranim antičkim natpisom u Dalmaciji. Uklapa se u epigrafsku praksu Salone 6. stoljeća u kojoj se zamjetno češće nego u drugim periodima na spomenicima navodi zanimanje pokojnika. Autori smatraju da podatak o izrađivaču korica ukazuje na nastavak djelovanja salonitanske radionice oružja tijekom 6. stoljeća (fabrica Salonitana armorum) za koju je, prema Notitia dignitatum i još jednom natpisu, potvrđeno da je postojala u 4. i 5. stoljeću. Svojim je stilskim obilježjima ovaj natpis pomogao usko datirati jedan vojnički natpis na sarkofagu koji bi se mogao povezati s periodom bizantsko-gotskih sukoba na salonitanskom području oko
535. godine. Kako su oboje pokojnika pokopani u isto vrijeme, pomišlja se da su mogli biti žrtve nasilne smrti ili neke akutne bolesti. Upravo je u razdoblju od 541. do 543. godine na Mediteranu zabilježena epidemija tzv. Justinijanske kuge, od koje je umrla otprilike četvrtina stanovnika
tadašnje populacije. Salona je bila lučki grad i do nje je kuga, koja se Sredozemljem proširila iz Egipta, mogla lako doći brodovima već u ljeto 541. godine.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Late Antique and Byzantine History, Early Christianity, History of Plague, Late Antiquity, and 11 moreLatin Epigraphy, Dalmatian history, Justinian I, Emperor, Epigraphy, Roman military equipment, Archaeology of Roman Dalmatia, Roman Sarcophagi, Justinianic Plague, Notitia Dignitatum, Salona (Solin), and Vranjic
The article describes the inscription on the lid of the sarcophagus discovered in Vranjic (Croatia) during the development-led archaeological excavations carried out in 2007. The inscription mentions the married couple Saturninus and... more
The article describes the inscription on the lid of the sarcophagus discovered in Vranjic (Croatia) during the development-led archaeological excavations carried out in 2007. The inscription mentions the married couple Saturninus and Justina who died in the summer of 541. Saturninus was a vaginarius, i.e. a maker of scabbards, which is an occupation rarely mentioned in epigraphic sources. Sixth century Salona saw the practice of producing inscriptions which mention the occupation of the deceased more often than in other periods, and this inscription fits the pattern. The inscription was dated absolutely by consular year, indictional year, date and day of the week, which makes it thus far the most precisely dated antique inscription in Dalmatia. The authors believe that the reference to a scabbard maker points to the continuing operation of the military factory in Salona (fabrica Salonitana armorum) during the 6th century, the existence of which was confirmed in the 4th and 5th centuries by Notitia Dignitatum and one other inscription. The stylistic features of this inscription were used to narrowly date another military inscription on the sarcophagus which could be linked to the Byzantine-Gothic War waged in the Salona area around 535. Since both occupants of the sarcophagus died around the same time, it is believed they could have been victims of violent death or some acute illness. During that time, between 541-543, the so-called Plague of Justinian was recorded on the Mediterranean, which killed around a quarter of the population. Salona was a port city and the plague, which had already spread across the Mediterranean from Egypt, could have reached it by ship, already by the summer of 541.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Late Antique and Byzantine Studies, History of Plague, Byzantine Studies, Late Antiquity, and 19 moreLatin Language and Literature, Latin Epigraphy, Roman Army, Late Roman Empire, Dalmatian history, Procopius, Late Roman Army, Justinian I, Emperor, Epigraphy, Roman military equipment, Early Christianity, Late Antiquity, Archaeology of Roman Dalmatia, Roman Dalmatia, Justinianic Plague, Notitia Dignitatum, Salona (Solin), Later Roman Army, John Lydus, and Vranjic
The paper discusses left part of the military stele which was found during the archaeological excavations at the site Kapitul. The inscription commemorated a soldier from the legion XI Claudia pia fidelis. His name is unknown, but from... more
The paper discusses left part of the military stele which was found during the archaeological excavations at the site Kapitul. The inscription
commemorated a soldier from the legion XI Claudia pia fidelis. His name is unknown, but from the inscription we know that he was from Forum Iulii and that he has served in the centuria of certain Caecilius. The monument was set up by Quintinus, for who is believed to be an optio in the same legion. Along with this inscription, in the same excavations was found an upper right fragment of a military stele, which might have belonged to the same monument.
commemorated a soldier from the legion XI Claudia pia fidelis. His name is unknown, but from the inscription we know that he was from Forum Iulii and that he has served in the centuria of certain Caecilius. The monument was set up by Quintinus, for who is believed to be an optio in the same legion. Along with this inscription, in the same excavations was found an upper right fragment of a military stele, which might have belonged to the same monument.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The paper discusses 26 inscriptions from the territory of the province of Dalmatia which mention the emperor Tiberius and the members of his family. Although all of the members of the Julio-Claudian family were related to Tiberius, this... more
The paper discusses 26 inscriptions from the territory of the province of Dalmatia which mention the emperor Tiberius and the members of his
family. Although all of the members of the Julio-Claudian family were
related to Tiberius, this article includes only those members who were
mentioned on the inscriptions which were set up during the reign of
Tiberius. The first mentions of Tiberius on the epigraphic monuments
from Dalmatia started to appear at the end of Augustus’ period and lasted until the first years of Caligula’s reign.
These 26 monuments were found on 12 sites and belong to diverse
categories. They can be divided into three groups: 1) official inscriptions
pertaining to Tiberius set by the governors of Dalmatia, city councils or
individual groups (cat. nos. 1–18); 2) inscriptions pertaining to the members of Tiberius’ family (Livia, Drusus the Younger, Drusus Caesar and Nero Caesar) set up during his reign (cat. nos. 19–23); 3) the inscriptions commemorating soldiers decorated with the dona militaria by the emperor Tiberius (cat. nos. 24–26).
family. Although all of the members of the Julio-Claudian family were
related to Tiberius, this article includes only those members who were
mentioned on the inscriptions which were set up during the reign of
Tiberius. The first mentions of Tiberius on the epigraphic monuments
from Dalmatia started to appear at the end of Augustus’ period and lasted until the first years of Caligula’s reign.
These 26 monuments were found on 12 sites and belong to diverse
categories. They can be divided into three groups: 1) official inscriptions
pertaining to Tiberius set by the governors of Dalmatia, city councils or
individual groups (cat. nos. 1–18); 2) inscriptions pertaining to the members of Tiberius’ family (Livia, Drusus the Younger, Drusus Caesar and Nero Caesar) set up during his reign (cat. nos. 19–23); 3) the inscriptions commemorating soldiers decorated with the dona militaria by the emperor Tiberius (cat. nos. 24–26).
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Danish architect Ejnar Dyggve in 1931 conducted the archaeological excavations at the site Šuplja crkva (the so-called Hollow church), in which, apart from the significant finds of the architecture of the early Croatian and early... more
Danish architect Ejnar Dyggve in 1931 conducted the archaeological excavations at the site Šuplja crkva (the so-called Hollow church), in which, apart from the significant finds of the architecture of the early Croatian and early Christian period, fifteen epigraphic monuments were found. The site itself was not inside of the Roman city of Salona, but belonged to its eastern periphery. In this article the presented inscriptions were found used as spolia of early Christian and medieval sacral and graveyard architecture. Most of these inscriptions are known only through Dyggve’s photographs and sketches that represent valuable documentation without which these monuments would have been completely unknown. There are 13 inscriptions dated to the period from 2nd to 6th century and they are mostly fragmented. The Roman-era inscriptions were undoubtedly transferred from a nearby Salonitan necropolis that was developed north and westward from the site. Out of 13 inscriptions, 12 are carved in Latin, while one inscription is in Greek alphabet. Since not all of the monuments are documented with a photograph, the restitution of the several inscriptions is made entirely on the basis on Dyggve’s sketches. Ten monuments are the tombstones, while for 3 can be assumed the same purpose. Most of the texts of the inscriptions are incomplete and some of them could not read a complete word. Nine inscriptions revealed 11 certain and 2 possible names which can be added to the rich onomastic repertoire of Salona. Two inscriptions can be singled out, since they bring not so usual epigraphic information. The first inscription (no. 1) mentions Pinnius Dalmatius, who placed a sarcophagus for himself and his family in the 4th century. The inscription predicted the penalty in case someone tried to violate the sarcophagus. The fine was 100,000 denarii, but the denarii are listed only as a calculation unit, since at the time of the placement of the inscription the denarii were no longer a monetary denomination. The second interesting inscription (no. 13) mentions C. Valerius Telesphorus, a procurator of vicesima, but due to the partial damage of the monument, there is no information whether he was a procurator for collecting a 5% inheritance tax (vicesima hereditatium) on or manumission tax (vicesima libertatis). The epigraphic evidence confirmed so far goes in favor of inheritance tax, but there is also space for a different interpretation. However, this information confirmed the existence of the financial procurator’s office in Salona. The Šuplja crkva site is considered one of the most important sites of the medieval Croatian state, but there are more and more archaeological indications that it is also a valuable early Christian site which has to be seen in the ambiance of a nearby pagan necropolis. It is little known about the large early Christian basilica, which is still mostly unexplored. It would be very important to excavate at least part of the pagan necropolis on the western side of the site of whose existence do not speak only spolia, but also the other archeological indications.
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The article describes an honorary base with an inscription for the statue of Emperor Caracalla (211-217), once embedded in third floor of the Romanesque bell tower of St. Duje (Domnio) cathedral in Split. In the 13th century, this base... more
The article describes an honorary base with an inscription for the statue of Emperor Caracalla (211-217), once embedded in third floor of the Romanesque bell tower of St. Duje (Domnio) cathedral in Split. In the 13th century, this base was sawn and transformed into architectonic-decorative elements of the bell tower, a console and a cornice-beam (both with inscription). For the building of the Romanesque bell tower many spolia from the Roman period were used whose provenance was the Diocletian’s palace and the ruins of Salona. The most important epigraphic monuments found as spolia in this bell tower are the so-called tabulae Dolabellae, four inscribed panels containing the information on road building activity under the provincial governor Publius Cornelius Dolabella at the time of emperor Tiberius (fig. 1). During the restoration of the bell tower at the end of the 19th century, parts of the Caracalla’s base were extracted along with other stone material. Their appearance differ from each other so much (fig. 3a-d, 4a-d), that these parts were perceived as parts of two different inscriptions (fig. 2). These parts are kept today in two locations in Split (the left part is in the Garden of Archbishopric and the right part is in the Archaeological Museum). In the scholar literature they were published in 1897 and 1899 respectively, and then in 1902, in the third volume of Corpus inscriptionum Latinarum under the nos. 142437 and 14684. During the reusing process of the Caracalla’s base, some of the letters were chiseled off, but the restored text of both pieces reads (fig. 7, 8): [Imp(eratori) Cae]sari / [M(arco) Aurel]io / Ant[onino P]io Aug(usto) / Felic[i Part(hico)] maxi(mo) / Brit{t}[an(nico) m]aximo / pont[if(ici) ma]ximo / patr[i patr]iae / co[(n)s(uli) I]II / Res pu[bli]ca / Saloni[tan]orum
Caracalla is mentioned as an emperor, so the lower limit for the date of this inscription is February 4th 211, when he entered the throne. Of the official titles that help in narrower determination of the time frame are the third consulate, which he held from the beginning of 208 to the beginning of 209, and two cognomina ex virtute (Britannicus and Parthicus). Inscribed title consul III means that the inscription should be dated no later than the end of 212, when Caracalla was appointed consul for the fourth time. Thus, the inscription can be dated from February 211 to December 212, but with the presumption that it was an honorary base for the statue set for the occasion of his entry into the throne, we could date this inscription in year 211. This opinion is supported by the information that the citizens of Salona (res publica Salonitanorum) set up this monument. According to the authors’ opinion, Caracalla's name on this inscription in the antiquity suffered a damnatio memoriae, which might be a result of the endeavors of emperor Maximinus Thrax (235-238) who tried to erase the memory on Severi upon all the inscriptions pertaining to the members of that dynasty. There are circa thirty inscriptions in Dalmatia related to the imperial Severan family, which lasted from 193 to 235. Of these, there are six inscriptions directly related to Caracalla. Only two inscriptions from Salona are dedicated to Caracalla, but this one is the only thus far confirmed Salonitan epigraphic monument of the Severan dynasty which was exposed in a public space.
Caracalla is mentioned as an emperor, so the lower limit for the date of this inscription is February 4th 211, when he entered the throne. Of the official titles that help in narrower determination of the time frame are the third consulate, which he held from the beginning of 208 to the beginning of 209, and two cognomina ex virtute (Britannicus and Parthicus). Inscribed title consul III means that the inscription should be dated no later than the end of 212, when Caracalla was appointed consul for the fourth time. Thus, the inscription can be dated from February 211 to December 212, but with the presumption that it was an honorary base for the statue set for the occasion of his entry into the throne, we could date this inscription in year 211. This opinion is supported by the information that the citizens of Salona (res publica Salonitanorum) set up this monument. According to the authors’ opinion, Caracalla's name on this inscription in the antiquity suffered a damnatio memoriae, which might be a result of the endeavors of emperor Maximinus Thrax (235-238) who tried to erase the memory on Severi upon all the inscriptions pertaining to the members of that dynasty. There are circa thirty inscriptions in Dalmatia related to the imperial Severan family, which lasted from 193 to 235. Of these, there are six inscriptions directly related to Caracalla. Only two inscriptions from Salona are dedicated to Caracalla, but this one is the only thus far confirmed Salonitan epigraphic monument of the Severan dynasty which was exposed in a public space.
Research Interests:
In the depot of the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split are being kept two fragments of the sarcophagus which were found 85 years ago, during the archaeological excavations in Solin on a site called Šuplja crkva. The... more
In the depot of the Museum of Croatian Archaeological Monuments in Split are being kept two fragments of the sarcophagus
which were found 85 years ago, during the archaeological excavations in Solin on a site called Šuplja crkva. The fragments
bear two inscriptions from which reads that in the sarcophagus were buried two persons. The inscription on the central field
belonged to an unknown person who was buried the first in the sarcophagus. From the other inscription, which commemorated
the person later deceased, we know that his name was Anastasius. Both men were the ostiarii, i. e. the ostiaries (porters)
in the Salonitan early Christian church. These men were probably buried in a span of a year or two, which is concluded by
partially preserved mention of the indictions. The sarcophagus shows several interesting features which include the Vulgar
Latin text, some special characters, but also the fact that the sarcophagus itself was originally made in 3rd (or perhaps late
2nd) century and remodelled in 5th century. The aim of this work is, along with the publication of these fragments, to make a
comparison with the other epigraphic monuments and to expand our current knowledge about the service of ostiarius in the
early Christian church.
which were found 85 years ago, during the archaeological excavations in Solin on a site called Šuplja crkva. The fragments
bear two inscriptions from which reads that in the sarcophagus were buried two persons. The inscription on the central field
belonged to an unknown person who was buried the first in the sarcophagus. From the other inscription, which commemorated
the person later deceased, we know that his name was Anastasius. Both men were the ostiarii, i. e. the ostiaries (porters)
in the Salonitan early Christian church. These men were probably buried in a span of a year or two, which is concluded by
partially preserved mention of the indictions. The sarcophagus shows several interesting features which include the Vulgar
Latin text, some special characters, but also the fact that the sarcophagus itself was originally made in 3rd (or perhaps late
2nd) century and remodelled in 5th century. The aim of this work is, along with the publication of these fragments, to make a
comparison with the other epigraphic monuments and to expand our current knowledge about the service of ostiarius in the
early Christian church.
Research Interests:
The inscription on the Roman funerary altar found in the Veli Varoš section of Split in 2004 is analysed in this work. The inscription mentions the deceased Numeria Victorina and her grandson Gnaeus Sulpicius Proculus, who was probably... more
The inscription on the Roman funerary altar found in the Veli Varoš section of Split in 2004 is analysed in this work. The inscription mentions the deceased Numeria Victorina and her grandson Gnaeus Sulpicius Proculus, who was probably related to Lucius Sulpicius Proculus, the actarius of cohors VIII Voluntariorum and the dedicant of an altar to Minerva in Tilurium. The Split monument may be dated to approximately the mid-2nd cenutry, while the Tilurium altar originated sometime in the latter half of the 2nd century, although not much later than the one from Split. Besides the assumption that the people mentioned on them were residents of the Salona ager, the inscription is intriguing due to the confirmation of two gentilicia that were not common on the territory of Dalmatia. Veli Varoš itself is located on the
way to the Ad Dianam site, which is recorded on the Tabula Peutingeriana, and all previous finds in this area suggest that it was inhabited in Antiquity prior to the construction of Diocletian’s Palace. Even though the inscription was not found in an archaeological context, it is assumed that it belonged to a necropolis that had emerged along the road that ran westward from Roman-era Spalatum, i.e., toward Ad Dianam. All previously found inscriptions in Veli Varoš, like those from nearby Šperun and Dobri, are sepulchral in character, and in the Corpus inscriptionum Latinarum they are listed as being from Salona. This author assumes that at least a portion of the Veli Varoš inscriptions were from a settlement with a necropolis that existed prior to the construction of Diocletian’s Palace, to which the section of a necropolis in Teutina street would testify.
way to the Ad Dianam site, which is recorded on the Tabula Peutingeriana, and all previous finds in this area suggest that it was inhabited in Antiquity prior to the construction of Diocletian’s Palace. Even though the inscription was not found in an archaeological context, it is assumed that it belonged to a necropolis that had emerged along the road that ran westward from Roman-era Spalatum, i.e., toward Ad Dianam. All previously found inscriptions in Veli Varoš, like those from nearby Šperun and Dobri, are sepulchral in character, and in the Corpus inscriptionum Latinarum they are listed as being from Salona. This author assumes that at least a portion of the Veli Varoš inscriptions were from a settlement with a necropolis that existed prior to the construction of Diocletian’s Palace, to which the section of a necropolis in Teutina street would testify.
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Rad obrađuje antički nadgrobni natpis, pronađen 2006. god. na lokalitetu Klapavice, koji je uklesan na steli iskorištenoj u sred-njem vijeku za poklopnicu groba. Sačuvani dio natpisa donosi spomen centuriona VIII. dobrovoljačke kohorte... more
Rad obrađuje antički nadgrobni natpis, pronađen 2006. god. na lokalitetu Klapavice, koji je uklesan na steli iskorištenoj u sred-njem vijeku za poklopnicu groba. Sačuvani dio natpisa donosi spomen centuriona VIII. dobrovoljačke kohorte rimskih građana (cohors VIII Voluntariorum civium Romanorum) Gaja Alazinija Va-lentina (C. Alasinius Valentinus) za kojeg autor smatra da je ovdje bio naveden kao komemorator, odnosno da je postavio natpis svojim roditeljima. Kohorta čiji je bio centurion epigrafski je naj-bolje potvrđena kohorta u Dalmaciji, što ne iznenađuje, budući da je VIII. kohorta vojna jedinica koja je u ovoj provinciji i najduže boravila, od 1. do barem sredine 3. st. Gentilicij Alasinius vrlo je rijetko potvrđen na epigrafskim spomenicima, a osim na ovome, javlja se na samo dva natpisa s istog područja pa se pretpostavlja da je lokalnog podrijetla. Jedan od njih je pronađen početkom 20. st. na istom lokalitetu, a spominje još jednog pripadnika VIII. kohorte, te se zaključuje da se radi o pripadnicima iste obitelji koji su služili u istoj jedinici. U članku se na temelju epigrafskih potvrda u Dalmaciji i ostatku Carstva donose i zapažanja o ustroj-stvu VIII. kohorte.
The paper analyzes the Roman sepulchral inscription found at Klapavice site in 2006. The inscription is carved on a stela used in Middle Ages as a grave slab. The preserved part commemorates Gaius Alasinius Valentinus, a centurion of the VIII Cohort of Roman Citizen Volunteers (cohors VIII Voluntariorum civium Ro-manorum). In the author's opinion, he is mentioned here as the commemorator who has erected the inscribed memorial to his parents. The cohort he was a centurion in is the best epigraphi-cally confirmed cohort in Dalmatia. This is no surprise, given the fact that, of all Roman units, the VIII Cohort stayed in the province for the longest period of time – from the 1 st century AD to not earlier than mid-3 rd century AD. The gentilicium Alasinius is very rarely confirmed on epigraphic monuments: in addition to this one, it is only found in two inscriptions from the same area. It is therefore assumed that it is of local origin. As one of them, found in the early 20 th century, mentions another soldier of the VIII Co-hort, they were probably members of the same family serving in the same unit. Based on the epigraphic confirmations in Dalma-tia and in other provinces of the Empire, this article also makes observations on the internal structure of the VIII Cohort.
The paper analyzes the Roman sepulchral inscription found at Klapavice site in 2006. The inscription is carved on a stela used in Middle Ages as a grave slab. The preserved part commemorates Gaius Alasinius Valentinus, a centurion of the VIII Cohort of Roman Citizen Volunteers (cohors VIII Voluntariorum civium Ro-manorum). In the author's opinion, he is mentioned here as the commemorator who has erected the inscribed memorial to his parents. The cohort he was a centurion in is the best epigraphi-cally confirmed cohort in Dalmatia. This is no surprise, given the fact that, of all Roman units, the VIII Cohort stayed in the province for the longest period of time – from the 1 st century AD to not earlier than mid-3 rd century AD. The gentilicium Alasinius is very rarely confirmed on epigraphic monuments: in addition to this one, it is only found in two inscriptions from the same area. It is therefore assumed that it is of local origin. As one of them, found in the early 20 th century, mentions another soldier of the VIII Co-hort, they were probably members of the same family serving in the same unit. Based on the epigraphic confirmations in Dalma-tia and in other provinces of the Empire, this article also makes observations on the internal structure of the VIII Cohort.
Research Interests:
The paper discusses 13 inscriptions mentioning the Salonitans of higher class in a military service. The inscriptions were set highlighting different stages of their successful military careers. (Summary in English at the end of paper)
Research Interests: Archaeology, Roman History, Epigraphy (Archaeology), Latin Epigraphy, Roman provincial administration, and 11 moreRoman Army, Roman Epigraphy, Epigraphy, Archaeology of Roman Dalmatia, emperor Diocletian, Diocletian, Emperor Diocletianus, Roman Dalmatia, Salona (Solin), Lucius Artorius Castus, and Salona
The paper deals with two funerary inscriptions found in Carnuntum that belonged to the legionaries of legio XV Apollinaris. There is no unanimous opinion about their origin, since the name of the town is given in abbreviated form Aeq,... more
The paper deals with two funerary inscriptions found in Carnuntum that belonged to the legionaries of legio XV Apollinaris. There is no unanimous opinion about their origin, since the name of the town is given in abbreviated form Aeq, which can be related either to Aequum in Dalmatia, or to Aequiculi in Italia. The voting tribe is noted as Cl(audia), and the town of origin of the legionaries was explained as Aequiculi in the relevant literature, since the tribus Claudia was the voting tribe of this town, while the voting tribe of Aequum was Tromentina. With no mention of tribus there would be no doubt that the soldiers originated from Aequum, since soldiers from the colony of Aequum are much better epigraphically attested than soldiers from Aequiculi. We think that in the first case the tribus Claudia could be explained with the deduction of the veterans in Savaria (whose tribus was Claudia), while in the second case we presume that Claudia was a pseudo-tribus. The thesis that these soldiers were likely to have been from Aequum is strengthened by the epigraphic evidence from Pannonia and Upper Germania.
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The paper discusses the epigraphic traces of Dalmatian population in the Roman provinces of Africa. There are at least 15 inscriptions found in Egypt, Numidia, Africa Proconsularis, Mauretania Caesariensis and Mauretania Tingitana, but in... more
The paper discusses the epigraphic traces of Dalmatian population in the Roman provinces of Africa. There are at least 15 inscriptions found in Egypt, Numidia, Africa Proconsularis, Mauretania Caesariensis and Mauretania Tingitana, but in Dalmatia as well, on which we can discern the presence of 19 Dalmatians. Almost all of them were the members of the military troops, among which one can see that the Dalmatians mostly served in cohortes Delmatarum located in Mauretania Caesariensis and in legio III Augusta. It is significant that several of them held very high military positions and were distinguished people of their times.
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The article analyzes a new fragment of an inscription from Skradin which mentions the conventus in Scardona. An interesting fact is that this fragment was found in Trogir, over 60 km from Skradin, during research into the Benedictine... more
The article analyzes a new fragment of an inscription from Skradin which mentions the conventus in Scardona. An interesting fact is that this fragment was found in Trogir, over 60 km from Skradin, during research into the Benedictine Convent of St. Nicholas. The connection of the two fragments helps to supplement the previous reading and allows for something of an expanded restitution, and verifies the first epigraphic mention of a conventus iuridicus in Dalmatia. An interpretation of this key place in the inscription which mentions a conventus in Scardona has led to the assumption that its name was conventus Liburnorum. This conclusion was reached by taking into consideration the previous knowledge of the regional imperial cult in the territory of Liburnia, as well as a comparison with conventus names in Hispanian provinces. An analysis of the first fragment had already led to the conclusion that it is important primarily from the standpoint of the regional imperial cult in Liburnian territory, which was venerated by the indigenous peregrine population, whose religious practices had already been previously epigraphically
confirmed in this context. The inscription was very likely installed in a temple built during the time of Emperor Titus, as propaganda for the Flavian dynasty’s cult, which also became a place for worship of the regional imperial cult by the Liburnian peregrine community.
confirmed in this context. The inscription was very likely installed in a temple built during the time of Emperor Titus, as propaganda for the Flavian dynasty’s cult, which also became a place for worship of the regional imperial cult by the Liburnian peregrine community.
Research Interests: Archaeology, Epigraphy (Archaeology), Latin Epigraphy, Roman provincial administration, Roman Epigraphy, and 17 moreAugustus, Hispania, Epigraphy, Roman imperial cult, Archaeology of Roman Dalmatia, Vespasian, Roman Dalmatia, Roman Liburnia, Hispania romana, Liburni, Roman Archaeology, Emperor Titus, Conventus Iuridici, Trogir, Scardona, Pokrajinski carski kult, and Juridički konventi
The article deals with the Roman-era artefact found during adaptation of a section of the former Convent of St. Clare, specifically the Church of St. Andrew de fenestris and the palace of the Božićević (Natalis) family, which is now held... more
The article deals with the Roman-era artefact found during adaptation of a section of the former Convent of St. Clare, specifically the Church of St. Andrew de fenestris and the palace of the Božićević (Natalis) family, which is now held in the Ethnographic Museum in Split. This is the stela of Julia Victorina, to whom the monument was most likely placed in the
first half of the 3rd century by her spouse, Aurelius Filo. In terms of appearance, this stela does not stand out in any way from similar stelae from the first half of the 3rd century, but the inscription on it has several linguistic features which may be attributed to Vulgar Latinity in the Salona environs. The possibility that the inscription had originally been placed somewhere on the Split peninsula once more opens the question of the type of settlements in this territory prior to construction of Diocletian’s Palace.
first half of the 3rd century by her spouse, Aurelius Filo. In terms of appearance, this stela does not stand out in any way from similar stelae from the first half of the 3rd century, but the inscription on it has several linguistic features which may be attributed to Vulgar Latinity in the Salona environs. The possibility that the inscription had originally been placed somewhere on the Split peninsula once more opens the question of the type of settlements in this territory prior to construction of Diocletian’s Palace.
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The paper deals with 10 inscriptions that confirm Salonitans in military service outside of Dalmatia in the period from the 1st to the 5th century. (Abstract in English at the end of paper)
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The paper deals with two unpublished Roman epigraphic monuments, one sepulchral and one votive inscription. The first one is erected for Petilius Saturus who was commemorated by his freedwoman Petilia Saturnina and which can be dated from... more
The paper deals with two unpublished Roman epigraphic monuments, one sepulchral and one votive inscription. The first one is erected for Petilius Saturus who was commemorated by his freedwoman Petilia Saturnina and which can be dated from the second part of the 2nd to the first part of the 3rd century. The second one is an altar dedicated by some Firmus to an unknown deity, since its upper part is not preserved. The altar is rather difficult to date, but we think it was erected in the second part of the 2nd or in the 3rd century. Although there are not some spectacular information mentioned on these monuments, they provide us several peculiarities given through their appearance as well as the orthography and grammar of the inscriptions.
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This paper describes the inscription CIL III 2584, which once belonged to the collection of Marulić’s friend Dmine Papalić. The collection is famous because, as far as we know, it was the first of its kind in the country. It is well known... more
This paper describes the inscription CIL III 2584, which once belonged to the collection of Marulić’s friend Dmine Papalić. The collection is famous because, as far as we know, it was the first of its kind in the country. It is well known to us because Marko Marulić included the inscriptions into his epigraphic treatise In epigrammata priscorum commentarius (Commentary on inscriptions of the ancients, around 1503-1510).
The inscription is carved on a sarcophagus that was found during excavations in 1963, in the Church of St Clare in Split. At that time it was ascertained that at the beginning of the 17th century it was in secondary use incorporated as a grave into the floor of the church.
In this work for the first time a full and accurate reading of the inscription is given, as well as an onomastic and linguistic analysis. Our reading of the text runs as follows:
Varius Valentinus et Flavia Licen/tina Iulio Cyrano et Vari(a)e Flaviae Salo/niae fili(i)s infelicissimis qui vixet (sic): Iu/lius annso (sic) XXVIII me(n)ses II et Salonia an/5nos XVI me(n)ses VIII. Parentes infelicissimi/ fili(i)s caris posuerunt.
The sarcophagus can be dated to the end of the 3rd or the first half of the 4th century. On a detailed examination of the surface of the sarcophagus, traces of alterations were determined, which means that it might have been previously used for some other decedent.
Some features of the epigraph tell us that it had been carved by a not very skilful and probably only slightly literate carver. At the orthographic and linguistic level, the text shows some signs of Vulgar Latin.
The text of the inscription mentions four persons: a married couple (Varius Valentinus and Flavia Licentina) had erected a monument for their son and daughter (Iulius Cyranus and Varia Flavia Salonia) who had died at the ages of 28 and 16 years. Onomastic analysis shows that the children had different parents, in other words, that Flavia Licentina had been married twice and borne two husbands at least two children. The gentilicium Flaviuis/Flavia in Late Antiquity is on the whole an indication of high social status (status designationis) and is borne by nobles and persons of senatorial rank from Emperor Constantine on. There is not always an indication of a lineage in the original gentilicium Flavius, for it is also used as an honorific, and it perhaps appears here in this quality.
As for Marulić’s transcription, it can be seen that he left out the phrase fili(i)s infelicissimis. The copy differs from the stone original in some other details, but considering the nature of these differences we would not mark them as errors, but would think that, as a humanist, Marulić would have wanted to polish up the orthography and language of the text. Apart from the two missing words, the only real mistake is the transcription of the gentilicium, which in the manuscript runs Elavia and not Flavia; here, however, Marulić’s mistake should be ascribed to the carver’s having written the letters E and F in almost the same way.
The conclusion of the paper suggests that all the still surviving epigraphs from the Papalić Collection (11 of them, out of 22 ancient and 7 more – probably fictitious – described in Marulić's work) should be brought together in one place; in this way the first collection of epigraphs in Croatia could be at least partially reconstructed.
The inscription is carved on a sarcophagus that was found during excavations in 1963, in the Church of St Clare in Split. At that time it was ascertained that at the beginning of the 17th century it was in secondary use incorporated as a grave into the floor of the church.
In this work for the first time a full and accurate reading of the inscription is given, as well as an onomastic and linguistic analysis. Our reading of the text runs as follows:
Varius Valentinus et Flavia Licen/tina Iulio Cyrano et Vari(a)e Flaviae Salo/niae fili(i)s infelicissimis qui vixet (sic): Iu/lius annso (sic) XXVIII me(n)ses II et Salonia an/5nos XVI me(n)ses VIII. Parentes infelicissimi/ fili(i)s caris posuerunt.
The sarcophagus can be dated to the end of the 3rd or the first half of the 4th century. On a detailed examination of the surface of the sarcophagus, traces of alterations were determined, which means that it might have been previously used for some other decedent.
Some features of the epigraph tell us that it had been carved by a not very skilful and probably only slightly literate carver. At the orthographic and linguistic level, the text shows some signs of Vulgar Latin.
The text of the inscription mentions four persons: a married couple (Varius Valentinus and Flavia Licentina) had erected a monument for their son and daughter (Iulius Cyranus and Varia Flavia Salonia) who had died at the ages of 28 and 16 years. Onomastic analysis shows that the children had different parents, in other words, that Flavia Licentina had been married twice and borne two husbands at least two children. The gentilicium Flaviuis/Flavia in Late Antiquity is on the whole an indication of high social status (status designationis) and is borne by nobles and persons of senatorial rank from Emperor Constantine on. There is not always an indication of a lineage in the original gentilicium Flavius, for it is also used as an honorific, and it perhaps appears here in this quality.
As for Marulić’s transcription, it can be seen that he left out the phrase fili(i)s infelicissimis. The copy differs from the stone original in some other details, but considering the nature of these differences we would not mark them as errors, but would think that, as a humanist, Marulić would have wanted to polish up the orthography and language of the text. Apart from the two missing words, the only real mistake is the transcription of the gentilicium, which in the manuscript runs Elavia and not Flavia; here, however, Marulić’s mistake should be ascribed to the carver’s having written the letters E and F in almost the same way.
The conclusion of the paper suggests that all the still surviving epigraphs from the Papalić Collection (11 of them, out of 22 ancient and 7 more – probably fictitious – described in Marulić's work) should be brought together in one place; in this way the first collection of epigraphs in Croatia could be at least partially reconstructed.
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2000 years after Augustus. International conference The century of the brave. Archaeology of the Roman conquest and indigenous resistance in Illyricum during the time of Augustus and his heirs, Zagreb, 22-26.9.2014.
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Abstract : This work contains an onomastic analysis of ten names which were incised on the bottom of the ceramic bowl or plate found in archaeological excavations in Siscia. The emphasis of this paper is on the onomastic analysis which... more
Abstract : This work contains an onomastic analysis of ten names which were incised on the bottom of the ceramic bowl or plate found in archaeological excavations in Siscia. The emphasis of this paper is on the onomastic analysis which shows that the local people mentioned on the list could have been participants of some Siscian feast. Some of the names, if their reading is correct, are not known so far in the onomastic repertoire of the Empire at all. Also, there was no such graffito inscription found so far in Siscia as well as in Croatia.
Résumé: Cette étude présente une analyse onomastique de dix noms qui furent incisés dans le fond d'un bol ou d'une assiette en céramique dé-couverte lors de fouilles archéologiques à Siscia. Ce travail porte essentiellement sur l'analyse onomastique qui démontre que les personnes locales mentionnées sur cette liste pourraient avoir été les participants d'une fête à Siscia. Parmi ces noms, si leur lecture est correcte, certains étaient incon-nus jusqu'à maintenant dans le répertoire onomastique de l'Empire. Enfin, c'est la première fois que de tels graffiti sont découverts aussi bien à Siscia qu'en Croatie.
Résumé: Cette étude présente une analyse onomastique de dix noms qui furent incisés dans le fond d'un bol ou d'une assiette en céramique dé-couverte lors de fouilles archéologiques à Siscia. Ce travail porte essentiellement sur l'analyse onomastique qui démontre que les personnes locales mentionnées sur cette liste pourraient avoir été les participants d'une fête à Siscia. Parmi ces noms, si leur lecture est correcte, certains étaient incon-nus jusqu'à maintenant dans le répertoire onomastique de l'Empire. Enfin, c'est la première fois que de tels graffiti sont découverts aussi bien à Siscia qu'en Croatie.
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Abstract: Rad donosi tri neobjavljena rimska miljokaza s priobalnog dijela Dalmacije koji su nekoć stajali uz ceste koje su ile iz Salone prema ostalim dijelovima provincije Dalmacije. Jedan je miljokaz s područja Salone, dok su ostala... more
Abstract: Rad donosi tri neobjavljena rimska miljokaza s priobalnog dijela Dalmacije koji su nekoć stajali uz ceste koje su ile iz Salone prema ostalim dijelovima provincije Dalmacije. Jedan je miljokaz s područja Salone, dok su ostala dva s prostora Ridera, odnosno putne ...
This work consists of an analysis of the relief found in 2007 at the cave site Vodna jama, located between Supetar and Donji Humac. The relief contained a cult image of a nymph and the god Silvanus, characteristic of Dalmatia, and this... more
This work consists of an analysis of the relief found in 2007 at the cave site Vodna jama, located between Supetar and Donji Humac. The relief contained a cult image of a nymph and the god Silvanus, characteristic of Dalmatia, and this author believes it most likely that it had been originally installed in Vodna jama, which would suggest that the site was a shrine to these deities during Antiquity. Unfortunately, the site is today destroyed, so there is no possibility of confirming this archeologically. The inscription on the fragment reflects features of Vulgar Latin, which is not unusual given the area in which it was engraved. Namely, Brač was an island which, although it fell within the territory of Salona, never had the status of a fully Romanized area in Antiquity, which was reflected in the fact that there were no settlements on it which had the rank of municipium or any other Roman urban constitution.
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Statistika bibliografskih podataka o projektima, znanstvenicima i znantsvenim institucijama.
Proceedings of the international conference held in Zagreb 22-26. 9. 2014. (M. Milićević Bradač and D. Demicheli eds.), 1-422, Zagreb 2108.
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Proceedings of the international conference held in Šibenik 12th - 15th September 2013.