Archaeology: Roman-era inscription found at building demolition site in Bulgaria’s Plovdiv
A fragment of a marble slab with an inscription, believed to date from the time of Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, has been found at the site of a demolished house in Bulgaria’s city of Plovdiv.
Septimius Severus was Roman Emperor from 193 to 211 CE.
The find was made at the site of a house at 17 Metropolitan Panaret Street that had been demolished. The developer contacted the Regional Archaeological Museum in Plovdiv.
The fragment measures 70 x 40cm and was found at a depth of about 1.6 metres.
Archaeologist Dessislava Davidova told Bulgarian National Radio that over the centuries, the marble had been used as part of building material.
BNR reported that Dr Nikolai Sharankov, a specialist in classical languages and epigraphy, was consulted and said that the fragment was most likely part of an inscription on the pedestal of a statue dating from the time of Emperor Septimius Severus.
The inscription mentions the name of the distinguished citizen Veranius, tribune and high priest of the imperial cult in Philippopolis, an ancient name of Plovdiv in antiquity.
Sharankov said that Veranius most likely belonged to the local Thracian aristocracy, obtained Roman citizenship and was included in the Roman equestrian class and thus began his career in the Roman army and he reached the position of military tribune.
From the inscription it is understood that Veranius organised gladiator fights.
Sharankov said that the dating was done according to the specific font of the inscription, characteristic of the time of Emperor Septimius Severus.
(Photo: Regional Archaeological Museum Plovdiv)
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