VA·15
| Inscription | |
|---|---|
| Reading in transliteration: | ?i |
| Reading in original script: |  ?
|
|
| |
| Object: | VA·15 Arsago Seprio (bowl) |
| Position: | bottom, outside |
| Direction of writing: | ambiguous |
| Script: | unknown |
| Letter height: | 4.7 cm1.85 in <br /> |
| Number of letters: | 2 |
| Number of words: | 1 |
| Number of lines: | 1 |
| Workmanship: | scratched |
| Condition: | complete |
|
| |
| Archaeological culture: | Augustan [from object] |
| Date of inscription: | late 1st c. BC [from object] |
|
| |
| Type: | unknown |
| Language: | unknown |
| Meaning: | unknown |
|
| |
| Alternative sigla: | Morandi 2004: 115 |
|
| |
| Sources: | Morandi 2004: 600 f. no. 155 |
Images
 Inscription VA·15 from Morandi
|
 Patera VA·15 Arsago Seprio with inscription VA·15
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 Inscription VA·15
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Commentary
First published in Volontè Fredini 1990: 71. Examined for LexLep on 30th April 2022.
Images in Veronesi 1990: tav. XIXg (drawing), Morandi 2004: tav. XVII.115 (photo).
Inscribed on the bottom of the patera, close to the rim of the foot (length ca. 3.5 cm). Assuming that the characters were applied upside-down, as typical for the graffiti from Sant'Ambrogio, there are three deeply scratched lines: two verticals and a short more oblique line on the right on top. In addition, the latter is prolonged to the bottom by a slight trace of an instrument, while a short slight, but intentional-looking scratch extends from the bottom of the middle vertical on the left. The character on the left may well be iota, but since it is not clear which scratches are relevant the character(s?) on the right cannot be identified. Volontè Fredini, taking all the lines into account, reads three letters ipi 
(not upside-down); Morandi, including only the deep scratches, reads 
il, which he interprets as an abbreviation of VA·21 ilauki, though he also considers 
ui possible (see the word page for further potential attestations of that sequence at the same necropolis).
Also mentioned in Solinas 1995: 384.
