Authority
Aurelios Apollonios, f. Dionysios, agoranomos (Gaza)
Denomination
1 Libra = 1 Litra
Metrology
Mass (g) |
Mass (grain) |
Date of measurement |
Reference |
fragmented |
cleaned |
reference weight |
366.15 |
- |
- |
Kushnir-Stein 2002, Auction Archaeological Center 2007 |
No |
No |
Yes |
Iconography
Symbol |
Technique |
Direction |
Position |
Number |
Synecdoche |
Female figure |
Relief |
LEFT |
Standing |
|
|
Cornucopia |
Relief |
|
|
|
|
Sceptre |
Relief |
|
|
|
|
Bull / Cow / Calf |
Relief |
|
|
|
|
Handle
Yes
Suspension hole
No
Recarved mould
No
Recarved weight
No
Intentionally destroyed
No
Archaeological description
Auction Archaeological Center 2007: Palestine, Gaza. A Roman Period rectangular lead weight with raised border and two handles (which are bent toward the obverse). 366.15 gr., 7.22×7.85 cm., 0.8 cm. thick. On the right side the city-goddess of Gaza is depicted, holding cornucopia and long scepter. At her feet there is a crouching heifer. A similar representation of the city-goddess is also found on coins minted in Gaza. The Greek inscription reads: ΕΤΟΥC ΒQC / ΑΕΞΑΜ Α/ΓΟΡΑ ΑΥΡ / ΑΠΟΛΛW/ΝΙΟΥ Δ .. ΛΙ Α “Year 292, first semester, Aurelios Apollonios, son of Dionysios, being agoranomos, one litra”. Year 292 according to the era of Gaza beginning 61 BC, is equal to 231/2 AD, during the reign of Severus Alexander. On the reverse there is a large encircled Phoenician letter mem in mirror-shape. The weight is slightly bent but in fair condition. (A. Spaer coll. no. W-74). Published by Alla Kushnir-Stein, 2002a, no. 1.
Kushnir-Stein 2002: A lead weight of roughly square form, with a horizontally elongated loop at its top and a semicircular handle at its bottom. Both the loop and the handle, as well as the lower left corner of the weight, are now bent towards the side bearing an inscription. On its reverse side there is a large Phoenician mem, written retrograde, within a circle. The side bearing the inscription has raised borders. Its right field is occupied by the figure of the city-goddess in a long dress, standing left and holding a cornucopia in her left and a long sceptre in her right hand. At her side, near the sceptre, stands an animal which can be identified, through comparison with coins, as a heifer. The space in the left field is filled by an 8-line inscription: “Year 292, first semester, Aurelios Apollonios, son of Dionysios, being agoranomos. One litra.”