Graham, Alexander: Roman Africa: an outline of the history of the Roman occupation of North Africa ; based chiefly upon inscriptions and monumental remains in that country (London [u.a.], 1902)

Africa under Marcus Aurelius 157

two sphinxes. Below are the heads of slaves. Over the gates
are Latin inscriptions. The vaulting is in good condition, with
very fine sculpture in high relief. It is all built without mortar
or cement. The blocks of marble are from four to five feet
thick, and are laid on sheets of lead and held together with
cramps.' It is a matter of doubt whether Verus took any active
part in securing a victory for the Roman arms. His pleasure
was not in the battle-field, and his ambition was to obtain the
honour of a warrior at the expense of such trusted generals as
Avidius Cassius, a Syrian by birth, Statius Priscus, or Pontius
Laelianus. The delights of Antioch as a city of revelry, and
the voluptuous amusements in the far-famed laurel groves of
Daphne, were more to the taste of such a dissolute and worthless
ruler of mankind. And yet a triumph was awarded to him
by the Senate in Rome for distinguished services ! Similar
expeditions to suppress disturbances in Media and Parthia were
afterwards undertaken under his command, and with similar
results. According to Fronto, Marcus Aurelius was invited by
his colleague to share the honour of a triumph A.D. 166, but,
as a conscientious man, he unhesitatingly declined to accept
reward for services in which he had taken no personal part.
The above inscription at Tripoli is of some interest. It clearly
tells us that Marcus Aurelius was recognised as Augustus and
Pater patriae, and that Verus was Augustus also and honoured
with the title of Armeniacus. The words marmore solido are
unusual. They give indications of the magnificence of this
quadrifrontal arch, commenced in the reign of Antonine, and
intended as a perpetual memorial of his benign rule. Accord-
ing to Capitolinus, the title of Pater patrice was refused by
Marcus Aurelius till the return of Verus after his successful
expedition against the Parthians, and on the death of Verus
he assumed the title of Armeniacus as well as Germanicus. It
is quite possible that the letters P. P. on the Tripoli arch
were not cut till after the Parthian campaign. The omission
of the last of these titles is shown on an inscription at Verecunda
(Markouna) bearing the date A.D. 163, the second year of the
joint rule of these two Emperors.1

I.R.A. No. 1415.