Inscriptions: Inscription of the Praedium Sammacis

Identification

Reference as:	MPL00401
Title	Inscription of the Praedium Sammacis
Trismegistos-No.	204173

Object

Provenance and Location

Find Place	Fundus Petrensis
Find Context	The inscription was found in 1900, around 150 m far from the flow of the Soummam river, on the right shore.
Latitude	36.75
Longitude	4.75
Current Location	Algiers, Musée des Antiquités
Inventory number
Current Location Details
Vicinity	[{"coords": [36.75, 4.75], "id": 401, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/401", "long_id": "MPL00401", "place": "Fundus Petrensis", "text": "Praesidium aeternae firmat Prudentia pacis, Rem qu\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription of the Praedium Sammacis"}, {"coords": [35.4852, 6.46822], "id": 387, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/387", "long_id": "MPL00387", "place": "Thamugadi", "text": "Ales homo, nume(n) virtus et gloria pal(mae) Romul\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Statue base dedicated to Victoria"}, {"coords": [36.7245, 3.55632], "id": 400, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/400", "long_id": "MPL00400", "place": "beni A\u00efcha hill", "text": "Spes in [---]ei Per te, Nu[---]el ista videmus Fir\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "The inscription from the beni A\u00efcha hill"}, {"coords": [36.1444, 3.69127], "id": 411, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/411", "long_id": "MPL00411", "place": "Auzia", "text": "Sumptibus e propriis Felix Calvusque gratantes han\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Altar to Phoebus"}, {"coords": [36.1921, 5.40418], "id": 413, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/413", "long_id": "MPL00413", "place": "Sitifis", "text": "(H)ic Pacate sedem locas baptis-mate purus quartum\u2026", "thumbnail_url": "https://db.edcs.eu/epigr/bilder.php?s_language=it\u0026bild=$AE_1966_00587.jpg", "title": "Funerary inscription for Pacatus"}, {"coords": [36.1921, 5.40418], "id": 414, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/414", "long_id": "MPL00414", "place": "Sitifis", "text": "Invida sidereo rumpantur pectora visu cedat et in \u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Mosaic inscription with the god Ocean and the Nereids"}, {"coords": [36.1921, 5.40418], "id": 417, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/417", "long_id": "MPL00417", "place": "Sitifis", "text": "Victoris biarci patris pietas et dolor. Victo\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Victor"}, {"coords": [36.1921, 5.40418], "id": 418, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/418", "long_id": "MPL00418", "place": "Sitifis", "text": "Si par vivendi reparatur gratia, Manes, En qui per\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Secundus"}, {"coords": [35.4852, 6.46822], "id": 419, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/419", "long_id": "MPL00419", "place": "Thamugadi", "text": "Dignis digna me-rent[ibus] [corona]. 5[L]eg[as et]\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "A mosaic inscription from Thamugadi"}, {"coords": [36.3177, 5.73668], "id": 420, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/420", "long_id": "MPL00420", "place": "Cuicul", "text": "[Gentes t]empus erit omnes in fonte [lavari].", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "A mosaic inscription from Cuicul"}, {"coords": [35.4897, 6.25484], "id": 421, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/421", "long_id": "MPL00421", "place": "Lambaesis", "text": "In-vide viv-[e] et vid-e et possis 5plura videre.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Mosaic with an apotropaic inscription"}, {"coords": [35.5038, 6.0773], "id": 422, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/422", "long_id": "MPL00422", "place": "Lambiridi", "text": "Invide vive et vid-e, ut possis plura vi-5dere.", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Mosaic with an apotropaic inscription "}, {"coords": [36.3681, 6.6133], "id": 248, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/248", "long_id": "MPL00248", "place": "Cirta", "text": "Left column D(is) M(anibus) M(arcus) Mundicius Sa\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph for Umbria Matronica"}, {"coords": [36.3681, 6.6133], "id": 249, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/249", "long_id": "MPL00249", "place": "Cirta", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) memoriae Iulia Sidonia felix de no\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Altar for Iulia Sidonia"}, {"coords": [36.3681, 6.6133], "id": 250, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/250", "long_id": "MPL00250", "place": "Cirta", "text": "Casta pudica fui Mnesithea [b]ona marito in fide q\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Aurelia Mnesithea"}, {"coords": [35.4852, 6.46822], "id": 251, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/251", "long_id": "MPL00251", "place": "Thamugadi", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum) Berula morigero sine crim\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Funerary inscription for Berula"}, {"coords": [36.1921, 5.40418], "id": 836, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/836", "long_id": "MPL00836", "place": "Sitifis", "text": "In[m]atura quidem mortis honore dotata ist[a su]is\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription from Sitifis \u2013 S\u00e9tif (Mauretania Caesariensis) - HD016652"}, {"coords": [35.4897, 6.25484], "id": 877, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/877", "long_id": "MPL00877", "place": "Lambaesis", "text": "Moenia qui Risinni Aeacia qui colis arcem Delmatia\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Votive inscription from Lambaesis"}, {"coords": [35.4897, 6.25484], "id": 890, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/890", "long_id": "MPL00890", "place": "Lambaesis", "text": "Moenia quisq(ue) dolet nova condere successori inc\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Building/dedicatory inscription from Lambaesis \u2013 Tazoult-Lamb\u00e8se (Numidia) - HD033601"}, {"coords": [35.4897, 6.25484], "id": 2246, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2246", "long_id": "MPL02246", "place": "Lambaesis", "text": "D(is) M(anibus) s(acrum). Severus, Aug(usti) l`i\u00b4b\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph of the imperial freedman Severus by his son Severianus"}, {"coords": [36.6676, 4.84622], "id": 811, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/811", "long_id": "MPL00811", "place": "Tubusuctu", "text": "Ter senos an-nos natus in flo-re iuventae hunc tum\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Epitaph from Tubusuctu \u2013 El-Kseur (Tiklat) (Mauretania Caesariensis) - HD002999"}, {"coords": [36.2964, 3.66993], "id": 855, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/855", "long_id": "MPL00855", "place": "A\u00efn-Bessem", "text": "Balnea rura domus fec[it C]onstantius auctor et fe\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Inscription from A\u00efn-Bessem, bei (Mauretania Caesariensis) - HD023151"}, {"coords": [35.7798, 6.07746], "id": 2301, "item_url": "https://db.mappola.eu/r/Inscriptions/show/2301", "long_id": "MPL02301", "place": "Diana Veteranorum", "text": "[---]ae pect[---]M[---]II[---] [---] ornatus IIvi\u2026", "thumbnail_url": null, "title": "Fragmentary funerary inscription of a doctor from Numidia"}]

Object Details

Object Type	slab
Material	marble
State of Preservation	complete
Dimensions	width: unknown height: unknown depth: unknown
Letter Size in cm (min)	0.0
Letter Size in cm (max)	0.0
Execution Technique	chiselled
Religion	Christian

Decoration

Decoration and Iconography	The text is inscribed on a double moulded frame which delimits a strip decorated with leaves.
Decoration Tags	Plant / Ivy leaf

Verse Layouts

Prose Verse Presence Verse
Scriptio Continua in verse part no
Abbreviations in verse part no
Verse Line Correspondence Yes

Prose Verse Presence	Verse
Scriptio Continua in verse part	no
Abbreviations in verse part	no
Verse Line Correspondence	Yes

Text

Function	building / dedicatory inscription
Language(s)	Latin
Verse Type(s)	Dactylic hexameter
Rhythmisation	Quantitative scheme

Inscription & Translations

Diplomatic Interpretative Verse Visualisation

PRAESIDIVMAETERNAEFIRMATPRVDENTIAPACIS
REMQVOQVEROMANAMFIDATVTATVNDIQVEDEXTRA
AMNIPRAEPOSITVMFIRMANSMVNIMINEMONTEM
ECVIVSNOMENVOCITAVITNOMINEPETRAM
5DENIQVEFINITIMAEGENTESDEPONEREBELLA
INTVACONCVRRVNTCVPIENTESFOEDERASAMMAC
VTVIRTVSCOMITATAFIDEMCONCORDETINOMNI
MVNEREROMVLEISSEMPERSOCIATATRIVMFIS

Praesidium aeternae firmat Prudentia pacis,
Rem quoque Romanam fida tutat undique dextra.
Amni praepositum firmans munimine montem,
E cuius nomen vocitavit nomine Petram.
5Denique finitimae gentes deponere bella
In tua concurrunt cupientes foedera, Sammac,
Vt Virtus comitata Fidem concordet in omni
Munere, Romuleis semper sociata triumfis.

Praesidium aeternae firmat Prudentia pacis,
Rem quoque Romanam fida tutat undique dextra.
Amni praepositum firmans munimine montem,
E cuius nomen vocitavit nomine Petram.
Denique finitimae gentes deponere bella
In tua concurrunt cupientes foedera, Sammac,
Vt Virtus comitata Fidem concordet in omni
Munere, Romuleis semper sociata triumfis.

Apparatus

l.8 reg., orig. triumfis

ll. 1-8: we read the acrosticon PRAEDIVM and the telesticon SAMMACIS.
l. 4: vocitavit nomine Petram, cfr. Lucr. 6, 298 (vocitamus nomine fulmen).

Main Translation

Translation	Sammac's prudence strengthens the presidium of the eternal peace, and also his faithful right hand protects the Roman State everywhere. He strengthens the mountain which dominates the river with a fort named Petra, like the mountain. Eventually, the neighbouring tribes stop fighting and hasten so full of desire towards an alliance with you, Sammac, that Virtue, a companion of yours, agrees with Loyalty in all duties, always linked to the triumphs accomplished by the sons of Romulus.
Citation	Mirko Tasso

Other Translations

Prosopographical Information

Name Sammac
Gender Male
Age Range Adult (21–60) [precision: undetermined]
Origin Native
Legal Status Roman citizen
Role Dedicatee

Name	Sammac
Gender	Male
Age Range	Adult (21–60) [precision: undetermined]
Origin	Native
Legal Status	Roman citizen
Role	Dedicatee

Further Information

Comment

Squeeze

Have Squeeze?	no

Dating

Date (From)	365 AD
Date (To)	372 AD
Date (Criteria)	names

Bibliography

ILS 09351
CLE 01916
ILCV 00779
C. Hamdoune, Parure monumentale et paysage dans la poésie épigraphique de l'Afrique romaine: Recueil de carmina latina epigraphica, Bordeaux 2016, 169-173 🔗 link
AE 1901, 00150
D. Lengrand, L'inscription de Petra et la révolte de Firmus, BCTH, 23 (1994), 159-170 🔗 link
E. Courtney, Musa Lapidaria. A selection of Latin Verse Inscriptions, Atlanta 1995, 72-73, no. 48 (with English translation) 🔗 link
J.-P. Laporte, Une famille berbére dans l'empire romain, in M. B. Cocco, A. Gavini, A. Ibba (eds.), L’Africa romana. Atti del XIX convegno di studio. Sassari, 16–19 dicembre 2010, Sassari 2012, I, 979-1002 🔗 link
MQDQ 🔗 link

Images

Editing History

Created	2026-03-11, by Mirko Tasso
Work Status	Complete
Import Notice

Revisions

by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-06 13:58
by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-06 14:29
by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-06 14:31
by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-06 14:50
by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-06 14:54
by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-13 14:37
by Mirko Tasso
at 2023-09-13 14:53
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-06 10:37
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-06 10:39
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-06 11:03
by Chiara Cenati
at 2026-03-06 11:57
by Chiara Cenati
at 2026-03-06 12:01
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-10 13:20
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-10 13:20
by Chiara Cenati
at 2026-03-10 13:44
by Chiara Cenati
at 2026-03-10 13:47
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-10 13:59
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-10 13:59
by Chiara Cenati
at 2026-03-10 14:15
by Anna Pokorny
at 2026-03-11 12:28

Download

Download as XML