Description: A rectangular statue base with panels within moulded edges on three sides (w: 1.07 × h: 0.44 × d: 0.44).

Text: i: Inscribed on the central panel. The final letters, or stops, in lines 6, 7, 8, 11 and 12 are cut on the moulding. ii: Scratched on the left panel, apparently left unfinished.

Letters: i. 0.02-0.03; irregular, elongated, and with traces of red paint. ii. cut with a very shallow, broad line; 0.02 (omicron)-0.05 (cross).

Date: i.Mid-fifth century; ii. Late fifth century or later. (titulature, prosopography, lettering)

Findspot: Aphrodisias: Tetrastoon: re-used in the central stretch of the seventh-century Byzantine defence wall which blocks off the east façade of the Theatre.

Original location: Theatre Baths (?)

Last recorded location: Museum (2002).

English translation

Translation source: ALA 2004

(i): If it was permitted, Balerianos, who was the leader of your troop, would have wished to make even a golden image of your virtue - indeed (scil. I swear) by yourself. Doulkitios, because you were an unbroken tower of lawfulness. But now he has set you in marble in front of the baths, so that the stone may remain as a witness of your labours.

(ii): Place of chief hot-food-seller

German translation

Translation source: Merkelbach and Stauber, 1998

(i): Valerianos, der Erste in deiner militia, hätte - wenn dies gesetzlich erlaubt gewesen wäre - gewiss auch ein goldenes Bild deiner Trefflichkeit anfertigen lassen, (das schwöre ich) bei dir selbst, weil du ein unzerbrechlicher Turm der Gesetzlichkeit gewesen bist. Nun hat er dich in Marmor aufgestellt vor dem Badeteich, damit der Stein (bleibender) Zeuge deiner Mühe sei.

Images

Fig. 1. i. Front face (M. Roueché, 1972)

Fig. 2. i. Front face (Mehmet Ali Döğenci, 1972)

Fig. 3. ii. Left face (2002)