Published Fragment of Fleet Diploma for a Thracian

Culture: Roman

Period: Reign of Antoninus Pius, possibly 1 August 142 A.D.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 2.6 cm x 2.4 cm

Price: 600 Euro

Ref: 3744

Provenance: From the German collection Peter Weiß, acquired between 1967 and 2015.

Condition: Very beautifully preserved.

Description: Small bronze fragment of Tabella I of a Roman military diploma with very diligently drawn inscription on both sides. This document, issued by Emperor Antoninus Pius, is a fleet diploma for a Thracian from Nicopolis ad Istrum or Nicopolis ad Nestrum. The last letters of the cognomen of the incumbent consul are also preserved. They are “iscus”, which refer to L. Laberius Priscus, who is also mentioned in another known diploma for a veteran of a fleet from Ravenna. This veteran originates also from Nicopolis ad Nestrum. See for the argumentation the publication of the fragment in: Peter Weiß „Neue Flottendiplome für Thraker aus Antoninus Pius‘ späten Jahren“, in: Zeitschrift für Papyrologie und Epigraphik, vol. 139, 2002, addendum, p. 224f.