Some remarks on the Stele of Suetonius Ionius

Abstract

The paper discusses the mosi relevant questions regarding the stele of Suetonius Ionius found al Bol on the island of Brač: (1) docs the figure appearing on the stele represent the deceased himself or a marine deity (Neptune?); (2) how should the deceased's name (cognomen) be read; (3) what arc the reasons for the tectonic and Structural features of the monument; (4) when was the monument made? As a starting point for the discussion the author brings a summary of previous studies. Regarding the first question, the author opines that there are no arguments supporting die interpretation of the figure as to be the god Neptune. On the contrary, the figure represents the deceased himself - aged sixty , as the inscription explicitly slates - who earned his living as a fisherman. In the right hand there is a trident pointed to the head of a dolphin - his great lifelong enemy. Regarding the reading, or an eventual restitution, of the deceased's cognomen, the author concludes on the basis oi his personal autopsy thaL most likely it should be read as Ionius. This name probably hides the deceased’s ethnic origin or his domicile. Both outer and inner structure of the monument can be explained by the influence of the portrait variant of the late profilation-framed stelae with gables made on the model of the lateral sides of sarcophagi. However, in this particular case it shows a unique example of reduction and stylisation of both gable and acroteria, and of their joining with the portrait niche, as well. According to the analysis of the onomastic, epigraphic and palaeographic elements, the author concludes that the monument was created in the 4th century, most likely at the end of the First Tetrarchy or during the Constnntinian period.