Commodus and/or Marcus Aurelius in a Double-Sided Inscription from Ostia (ScO XI, C 115): Yes and No

Abstract

A marble plaque found at Ostia, Rome’s harbour town, carries Latin inscriptions on both sides. Members of the professional association of lenuncularii, boatmen on the Tiber river, were the authors in both cases. Both sides are thought to contain a dedication to a Roman emperor of the late Antonine dynasty. A close reading of the earlier text shows the likelihood that instead of Commodus a local Ostian leader was the person being honoured.