ISic003572: Dedication by Paccius

Latin, honorific, plaque

edited, View in current site

Photo J. Prag courtesy Soprintendenza BBCCAA di Messina
1[---]DIVIAU.[....---]
2[---]PACCIUS.[..---]
3[---]··[---]

Apparatus criticus

  • Text from autopsy

translation

Physical description

Support

Description
Fragment of off-white marble. Part of the upper edge is intact, but the stone is broken on the other three sides. Both front and rear surfaces are well finished. There are a few plaster traces on the reverse.
Object type
plaque
Material
marble
Condition
No data
Dimensions
height: 34.2 cm, width: 34.6 cm, depth: 1.8-2.7 cm

Inscription

Layout
There is a substantial vacat between the top margin and the first line of letters. Remains of three lines of text survive, although only traces of two letters remain from the third line.
Text condition
No data
Lettering
The letters are simply cut, with light serifs. They are moderately well proportioned, but show some irregularity (especially in line 2). P is not closed. Elegant interpuncts are visible between all word breaks, triangular developing towards the form of a leaf (hedera).
Letter heights
Line 1: 68-73mm
Line 2: 53-55mm
Line 3: incompletemm
Interlinear heights
Interlineation: not measured

Provenance

Place of origin
Halaesa
Provenance found
Excavated in 1971, in room 7 of the west portico of the agora
Map

Current location

Place
Halaesa, Italy
Repository
Antiquarium e sito archeologico di Halaesa, 30599
Autopsy
On display in new lapidarium
Map
TODO: use the geo information in the museums dataset

Date

AD 14 – AD 37
Evidence
No data

Text type

honorific

commentary

The most likely resolution of the phrase Divi Augusti in the first line is a dedication to Tiberius Caesar divi Augusti filius Augustus. In any case, the presence of divi Augusti provides a terminus post quem of AD 14. A dedication to Tiberius is known from nearby Capo d’Orlando, ancient Agathyrnum (ISic003339). Paccius is a common Latin name of Oscan derivation. The name is rarely attested in Sicily: an individual of Oscan origin at Entella in the third century BC (Entella tablets C1, C2, C3); but more improtantly on the municipal coinage of Halaesa itself, where one Marcus Paccius Maximus is recorded as both duovir and flamen Augusti (designatus) (RPC I, nos. 630-633, of Augustan date, e.g. ANS 2015.20.550). Paccius son of Marcus in line 2 of this inscription could refer either to the same individual as that on the coinage, or a relative (such as his son). A dedication to Tiberius by either M. Paccius Maximus himself, or e.g. his son would be entirely plausible (see Facella 2006: 208-210 and 273-74 for M. Paccius Maximus, in the context of extensive Campanian connections to Halaesa).

In line 3, traces of two letters and at least one interpunct survive. The first letter is either Q or O (D is unlikely from the traces on the stone); the second letter is either E or F. There may be a trace of an interpunct surviving just before the vertical hasta of the second letter, although the space is limited; this would encourage a reading of Q · F ·, i.e. Q(uinti) f(ilius), suggesting that line three carries another personal name in the nominative, and so a second dedicant responsible for the text (e.g. a fellow magistrate or priest). Alternatively, if we read OE at the end of a word, this is most likely a female name such as Callirhoe or Zoe (and so perhaps the wife, mother, or daughter of Paccius). The alternatives OF and QE are implausible in Latin.

See ISic003581 for a second text which may be erected by the same individual.

Bibliography

Digital editions

Citation and editorial status

Citation
No data