Repository
Apollonia Museum, inv. number unknown.
Support
Probably marble panel (0.23; 0.19; - depth unknown), with a flange along the upper edge; the exposed side is occupied by five features, approximately in the shape of horseshoes (two upper ones of diameter 0.09; two lower ones of diameter 0.062; the central one of diameter 0.0375); it was probably a mould for unclear metal objects.
Layout
Inscribed along the flat sides of both larger features.
Letters
Ca. 0.006.
Place of Origin
Findspot.
Date
Perhaps second half of fourth century B.C. (lettering)
Findspot
Found in 1929 in the Port of Cyrene, later Apollonia pleiades; HGL .
Last recorded Location
Photographed in 1929 in Apollonia Museum ; not found since.
Text constituted from
Transcription from previous editor.
Reynolds, 1976 Reynolds, J.M., 1976, The Inscriptions of Apollonia, in R.G. Goodchild, J. Griffiths Pedley, D. White, J.H. Humphrey (eds.), Apollonia, the port of Cyrene: excavations by the University of Michigan, 1965-1967, Libya Antiqua (LibAnt)Suppl. 4, Tripoli, 293-333 - see in bibliography , p. 302, n. 13, whence SEG Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum, Leiden, then Amsterdam, 1923-1971, then 1979- - see in bibliography , 27.1142.
a) Hermès. b) Artémis.
a) Hermes. b) Artemis.
a) Hermes. b) Artemide.
The purpose of this marble, known only from a photograph, remains obscure. Channels running between some of the features and a small indentation at the centre of each one are hints for a mould. But the objects that might have been produced are not clear: the features are too circular for horseshoes and the lack of recesses for handles eliminates the hypothesis of mirrors. It is thus very difficult to explain the opposite direction of writing.
Furthermore, as the divine names are mentioned at the nominative, the objects should not be dedications and the names might be either labels for some sort of images or even used to indicate other living or inanimate objects.
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