Graffiti, Tituli Picti and Manufacturer Stamps Identified on Roman Earthenware from the Potaissa Legionary Fortress (2nd-3rd centuries AD)

Luciana NEDELEA

doi:10.24193/subbhist.2020.1.03

Authors

Luciana NEDELEA Babeş-Bolyai University Cluj-Napoca. E-mail: nedelealuciana753@yahoo.com https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6792-1486

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24193/subbhist.2020.1.03

Keywords:

Graffiti; Roman pottery; Potaissa; legio V Macedonica; legionary fortress.

Abstract

From the ceramic lot (circa 10.000 Roman wares) identified within the legionary fortress at Potaissa, only 10 of them bear graffiti, tituli picti and manufacturer stamps on their body (0,1% of the total). The ceramic wares were recovered from various areas of the fortress, namely the barracks (praetentura sinistra, praetentura dextra, latus praetorii dextrum, retentura), the legionary baths (thermae), the western gate (porta decumana), and the headquarters building (Principia). In the present study I will offer an interpretation of the finds, as well as an explanation for the extremely rare occurance of manufacturer stamps within the Potaissa legionary fortress.

Rezumat: Din întregul lot ceramic (circa 10.000 de vase de factură romană) identificat in castrul legionar de la Potaissa, doar 10 vase prezintă graffiti, tituli picti şi ştampile de producător pe corpul lor (0,1% din total). Piesele ceramice au fost descoperite în diverse zone ale castrului, respectiv cazărmile soldaţilor (praetentura sinistra, praetentura dextra, latus praetorii dextrum, retentura), termele castrului (thermae), poarta de vest (porta decumana) şi clădirea comandamentului (Principia). În studiul de faţă voi oferi o interpretare a materialului descoperit, cât şi o explicaţie privind problema frecvenţei extrem de reduse a ştampilelor de producător în castrul legionar de la Potaissa.

Cuvinte cheie: Graffiti; ceramică romană; Potaissa; legio V Macedonica; castru legionar.

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