DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0314
The reign of Gallus had no influence on African progress,
nor is there a single monument in that country associated
with his name. We are told by Aurelius Victor that he was
raised to the purple in the island of Meninx, immortalised by
Homer as the island of the Lotophagi,1 but better known in
modern times by the name of Djerba. The quotation from this
author, Creati in insula Meninge, qnce nunc Girba dicitur, implies
that both Gallus and his son attained imperial dignity at the
same time. Archaeological research has not hitherto been
successful in bringing to light the remains of any monumental
edifices or other memorial of their reign in that far-off island.
There is little in the present day to indicate the character of the
buildings which once covered a large area at El-Kantara over-
looking the straits which separate Djerba from the mainland,
but the wealth of marble and sculptured stones scattered over
the surface bears testimony to the existence, at that period of
Roman history, of a city of renown, probably the capital of the
island, and bearing the name of Meninx.
The short rule of Gallus, conspicuous for cruelty and in-
difference to the welfare of the State, was followed by the com-
paratively long and active reign of Valerianus and his son
Gallienus. Inscriptions relating to these Emperors are numerous
enough in all parts of the Empire, and in no country are the
dedications more clearly worded than in North Africa.
Sometimes the names of father and son appear together, as
in the following inscription of eight lines on a column at Cirta,
now built into the wall of a house at Constantine :2
IMP • CAES • P • LICINIO Imperatori Ccesari Publio Licinio
VALERIANO INVICTO Valeriano invicto pio felici Augusta
PIO FEL AVG PONT MAX pontifici maximo tribunicia potestatis,
1 It seems strange that the lotus referred to in the Odyssey has not been satis-
factorily identified. Shaw speaks of the seedra or lotus, in appearance not unlike a
blackthorn. This has been recognised as the zizypkus lotus or jujube tree, which
bears a fruit hardly eatable in its wild state, but when cultivated is somewhat better.
But how does this agree with the passage in Homer ? ' Whosoever did eat the honey-
sweet fruit of the lotus had no longer any desire to bring tidings nor to return, but
to abide with the lotus-eating men, ever feeding on the lotus and forgetful of the
homeward way.' Rather let us search for this delectable food, observed the late
Sir R. Lambert Playfair, in the island of Djerba of our own times, and claim as the
lotus of the ancient world the most beneficent fruit which Providence ever bestowed
on man—the honey-sweet date of the modern Arab.
a I.R.A. No. 1842.
nor is there a single monument in that country associated
with his name. We are told by Aurelius Victor that he was
raised to the purple in the island of Meninx, immortalised by
Homer as the island of the Lotophagi,1 but better known in
modern times by the name of Djerba. The quotation from this
author, Creati in insula Meninge, qnce nunc Girba dicitur, implies
that both Gallus and his son attained imperial dignity at the
same time. Archaeological research has not hitherto been
successful in bringing to light the remains of any monumental
edifices or other memorial of their reign in that far-off island.
There is little in the present day to indicate the character of the
buildings which once covered a large area at El-Kantara over-
looking the straits which separate Djerba from the mainland,
but the wealth of marble and sculptured stones scattered over
the surface bears testimony to the existence, at that period of
Roman history, of a city of renown, probably the capital of the
island, and bearing the name of Meninx.
The short rule of Gallus, conspicuous for cruelty and in-
difference to the welfare of the State, was followed by the com-
paratively long and active reign of Valerianus and his son
Gallienus. Inscriptions relating to these Emperors are numerous
enough in all parts of the Empire, and in no country are the
dedications more clearly worded than in North Africa.
Sometimes the names of father and son appear together, as
in the following inscription of eight lines on a column at Cirta,
now built into the wall of a house at Constantine :2
IMP • CAES • P • LICINIO Imperatori Ccesari Publio Licinio
VALERIANO INVICTO Valeriano invicto pio felici Augusta
PIO FEL AVG PONT MAX pontifici maximo tribunicia potestatis,
1 It seems strange that the lotus referred to in the Odyssey has not been satis-
factorily identified. Shaw speaks of the seedra or lotus, in appearance not unlike a
blackthorn. This has been recognised as the zizypkus lotus or jujube tree, which
bears a fruit hardly eatable in its wild state, but when cultivated is somewhat better.
But how does this agree with the passage in Homer ? ' Whosoever did eat the honey-
sweet fruit of the lotus had no longer any desire to bring tidings nor to return, but
to abide with the lotus-eating men, ever feeding on the lotus and forgetful of the
homeward way.' Rather let us search for this delectable food, observed the late
Sir R. Lambert Playfair, in the island of Djerba of our own times, and claim as the
lotus of the ancient world the most beneficent fruit which Providence ever bestowed
on man—the honey-sweet date of the modern Arab.
a I.R.A. No. 1842.