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_900x900.jpg "Roman Lead Curse Tablet Targeting a Legionary Commander and His Military Unit")
_200x200.jpg "Roman Lead Curse Tablet Targeting a Legionary Commander and His Military Unit")
.jpg "Roman Lead Curse Tablet Targeting a Legionary Commander and His Military Unit")
LOT 0119
Roman Lead Curse Tablet Targeting a Legionary Commander and His Military Unit
LATE 1ST CENTURY A.D.
3 3/8 in. (151 grams total, 87 mm each).
The names of high-ranking officers of a Roman legion engraved in two columns in retrograde script, inter alia the Senatorial Commander of a Roman Legion (legatus legionis), two Tribunes and several Centurions being cursed; with holes to fix it to an object with nails, both being magical practices of antiquity aiming for the malediction of enemies; a unique and important document; it has been proposed to identify the legate with Q. Pomponius Rufus, consul in the year A.D. 95.
ProvenancePrivate collection of the gentleman, J.L. Fernández, Switzerland, before 2000.
From the private academic collection of Professor P.M.A.R.
Accompanied by a copy of the academic paper Rothenhoefer, P., Römische Offiziere auf einer tabella defixionum. Ein außergewöhnliches Dokument magischen Schadenzaubers gegen eine Legionskommandeur und weitere Mitglieder des Offizierskorps, Epigraphica 78, 2016, pp.235-251, where this unique curse tablet is published.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
Rothenhoefer, P., Römische Offiziere auf einer tabella defixionum. Ein außergewöhnliches Dokument magischen Schadenzaubers gegen eine Legionskommandeur und weitere Mitglieder des Offizierskorps, Epigraphica 78, 2016, pp.235-251; Sánchez Natalías, C., Sylloge of Defixiones from the Roman West. A Comprehensive Collection of Curse Tablets from the Fourth Century BCE to the Fifth Century CE, Oxford, 2022, no.149.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 0119
Roman Lead Curse Tablet Targeting a Legionary Commander and His Military Unit
Sold for (Inc. bp): £1,690
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Opening Bid: £300
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From an important London collection of glass, 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
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Opening Bid: £125
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From the collection of a gentleman, acquired on the London art market in the 1990s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
