Adlocutio – Caesar’s address to his soldiers
Caesar is shown in the center on a low pedestal and on a much larger scale than the soldiers gathered around him. In the scene at left, a city gate is visible; behind the city there is a mountainous landscape in which a mountain nymph is depicted. At right, the figure of a winged Victory (Nike) brings the scene to a close (fig.1).
Galerius receives an embassy from the Persians
Caesar is shown at left (most of his head is missing). In addition to the soldiers surrounding Caesar in this scene, five Persians are depicted prostrating themselves on their knees. At the right side of the scene, a female figure dressed in short chiton and tall boots is followed by four other women wearing long garments and a small female figure at their feet. Caesar is receiving the Persian peace embassy; the women wear walled crowns on their head and are interpreted as the personifications of countries or cities. Their number (4) refers to the seats of the four Tetrarchs, while the figure dressed like an Amazon who leads them will be a personification of Rome. The sorrowful seated figure with the little boy perhaps refers to Persia (fig.2).
Victory sacrifice of Diocletian and Galerius
This scene depicts Diocletian and Galerius holding libation bowls (phiales) to right and left of an altar to perform a ritual libation. Behind the altar and between the two Caesars are to female figures: above one is preserved part of the name OIKOUMENE, and the second has been interpreted as OMONOIA (Harmony). Behind Galerius is another female figure, EIRENE (Peace). Apparently this is the victory sacrifice by Diocletian and Galerius to the patron gods of the Tetrarchy. It most likely took place in Antiocheia (Antioch), the Romans’ military base of operations and the site of these triumphal scenes (fig.3)
Procession of Persians bearing gifts to the emperor
In front of an Ionic stoa, Persians are presented in procession to left bearing gifts including animals; some are leading panthers to the Caesar (fig.4).
Texts : Dr Dimitra Aktseli, Archaeologist.
Source of photographs: German Archaeological Institute at Athens, 1935 and archive Ch.Makarona 1946, 1964.
