A Dedication in 173 CE at Roman Ostia, carried out on the Emperor Antoninus Pius’ dies natalis

Abstract

The date of a statue dedication in Rome’s harbour Ostia carried out by North African shipowners in honour of a member of the local elite has until now been misunderstood. A new examination of the inscription, still standing in the so-called Piazzale delle Corporazioni, shows that the statue most likely was inaugurated on 19 September, the birthday of the emperor Antoninus Pius. The choice of day is a sign of imperial loyalty and agrees with a typical Ostian pattern for scheduling important events.