IGII2 3387 P. Aelius Hermias honours Empress Sabina

P. Aelius Hermias honours Empress Sabina

IG II² 3387 Date: 128-137 AD

(This statue of) Sabina Augusta,^[1] Emperor Nerva Trajan Hadrian Caesar (5) Augustus' wife (was erected by) Publius Aelius Hermias of Hagnous.^[2]

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References:

IG II² 3387 (Translated text) (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Images: Wikimedia Commons - (1)

Monument type: Base

Inscription type: Statue base (private)

Findspot: Athens, Panagia Pyrgotissa Church (EM 10369)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This is a statue base for Vibia Sabina (c. 83-137 AD), who was the wife of the Emperor Hadrian (r. 117-138) and the grand-niece of the Emperor Trajan (r. 97-117). She had a relatively low profile until 128 AD, when she finally received the title of Augusta, shortly before Hadrian accepted the title "father of the fatherland" (T. C. Brennan, Sabina Augusta, 2018). After this, she becomes far more prominent in inscriptions than any Imperial woman since Livia the wife of Augustus and appears regularly on Imperial coinage (RIC II.3² 2474-2611, 2928, 3181, 3193). The inscription probably dates to this time; it must predate her death and deification in 137 AD. Hadrian's unusual titulature, which is modelled on that of Trajan, has suggested an earlier date (D. J. Geagan, Πρακτικά τοῦ η' Διεθνούς Συνεδρίου Ἐλληνικής και Λατινικής Επιγραφικής, 1984, 1.72), but might have been a conscious choice to emphasise dynastic continuity. A marble head found in Athens (NAMA 449, images on Commons) may depict Sabina, but this is disputed (N. Kaltsas, Sculpture in the National Archaeological Museum, 2002, 340 n. 722). Statue bases for Sabina's sister Matidia the Younger and mother Matidia the Elder also survive from Athens (IG II² 3388-3389), as does a letter from Hadrian's adoptive mother, Empress Plotina (SEG 55.250). On Hadrian and his relationship with Athens, see IG II² 5185 with notes. [2] Publius Aelius Hermias’ name indicates that he had received Roman citizenship from Hadrian, which may have motivated the erection of this statue.

Added: 17 Aug 2024
Updated: 17 Aug 2024
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