Zvita vitis ali par prepletenih vrvi?
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The article examines the tombstone of the naval centurion Liccaeus, which was discovered in the village of Osor (Apsorus) on the island of Cres. According to the inscription, it appears that a public site was allocated for the monument, indicating the honorand’s significance to the local community. Liccaeus is depicted wearing a tunic and a sagum, but the most unusual feature is the object he holds in his hand. This object has often been interpreted as a rope tied into a knot, similar to those used for mooring ships. Little is known about the appearance of the command staff, vitis, that was a distinctive symbol of also naval centurions. However, depictions on Ravenna tombstones from the Early Imperial period which feature an object similar to knot suggest that, during this era, the vitis for naval centurions may have been represented differently. Given the absence of any attributes on the tombstone that would directly associate the deceased with his rank, it is possible that Liccaeus is holding a vitis, which, by its appearance, could also refer to his maritime skills.
Author: Šmid, Katarina
Language: English
Topic: Classical Antiquity Studies
Subfield: Anthropology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7125622668
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