Sanctuary (augusteum) in Oneum?

Abstract

Long ago an inscription was discovered at the steep slopes over Omiš in Roman Oneum, formerly an Illyrian settlement. At first the inscription was not correctly interpreted and then forgotten. Not long after it was found again and well read. Rather big head of Emperor Tiberius was recently discovered close to it on the same site. Unfortunately the head was damaged on the forehead where the locks of hair had been put, after which the type of the emperor's portrait might have been determined. There are several reasons to assume that the portrait was made after 14 AD, the time when Tiberius became emperor. On the ba$is of comparison with some better preserved heads our portrait belongs to Berlin - Napoli - Sorrento type, which had been in use in late Augustan period and after it. Concerning the stylistic features the portrait shows mature classicism with insignificant stereotypes which were characteristic for the period. The head itself shows a rather rare detail, the central part of the eye (iris and pupil) must have been made of another material probably of glass paste. The head of Tiberius must have stood in close relation with above mentioned inscription in honour of divus (dead) August and goddess Rome, which can be easily read on the front side of the inscription. In the rear of the inscription the ara in honour of Genius, is mentioned quite likely loci and most probably the dedication. Although both sides of the inscription aren't written in the same letters, they vary in depth and quality of gutters, we may suppose them as being made in short chronological distance. This inscription consequently establishes the fact that there was a sanctuary or some thing similar in Oneum in honour of August, Rome and Genius /loci/ where the statue of Tiberius was placed too. The statue of August, the genus-founder of the Empire and Tiberius step-father should have certainly been there, and perhaps the statue of some other members of imperial family. The group was probably later, as it was the case, enlarged with other emperors. Let us hope the future research will support this hypothesis.