Support: Probably marble panel (w: 0.23 × h: 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.

Date: Perhaps second half of fourth century BC (lettering).

Findspot: Found in 1929 in the Port of Cyrene, later Apollonia ➚.

Place of origin: Findspot.

Last recorded location: Apollonia Museum, inv. number unknown. Photographed in 1929 in Apollonia Museum; not found since.

Text constituted from: Transcription from previous editor.

French translation

a) Hermès. b) Artémis.

English translation

a) Hermes. b) Artemis.

English translation

a) Hermes. b) Artemide.

Commentary

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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All citation, reuse or distribution of this work must contain a link back to DOI: https://doi.org/10.60760/unibo/igcyrgvcyr2 and the filename (IGCyr000000 or GVCyr000), as well as the year of consultation.

Images

Fig. 1. View of igcyr068100 Unclear instrumentum

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