DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18096#0316
242
Roman Africa
years ago by M. Guerin, and, according to his interpretation,
is clearly worded.1
CORNELIAE SALONINAE
PIAE CONIVGI • D • N
IMP • CAES • P • LICINI
EGNATI GALLIENI PII
FEL • AVG ■ MVNIC ■ AVREL
VINA • DEVOT • NVMINI
MAIESTATIQVE EIVS
A special value is attached to this discovery, for it proves
that the scattered remains where this slab was found, at a place
now called Henchir-el-Khanga, are those of the old Municipium
Aurelia Vina, the existence of which had hitherto been un-
known. It is probable that the inhabitants of this municipium
had good cause for raising this memorial to so worthy an
Empress as Cornelia Salonina.
It was during the reigns of Valerianus and Gallienus that
the edict issued by their predecessor Decius for the suppression
of Christianity throughout the Empire came into full operation,
and was followed by such lamentable results in the chief cities
of North Africa. The progress of the Christian Church in any
of the Roman provinces is too large a subject to be dealt with
in this slight outline of the history of the Roman occupation of
this country, but it is so intimately interwoven with the life of
the people that it merits more than passing mention. From
the time of Nero, whose memory is associated with the first
imperial persecution of Christians in Rome, down to the pro-
clamation of the edict of Decius, the Church had been subject
at intervals to the attacks of Pagan fanatics, and had more than
recovered its ground on each occasion. But its existence as a
Church, or organised form of a distinct religion, had not been
regarded as illegal till Trajan found himself forced to issue an
edict for its suppression in order to soothe the growing animosity
between votaries of the old and the new cult. During his reign
Christian communities were becoming a source of disquietude
to provincial governors on account of their extended operations
and the social position of many Roman citizens who had em-
braced the new creed. From Pliny, the governor of Bithynia
and friendly correspondent of the Emperor Trajan, we gather
1 Vide Guerin, Voyage en Tunisie, vol. ii. p. 264.
Roman Africa
years ago by M. Guerin, and, according to his interpretation,
is clearly worded.1
CORNELIAE SALONINAE
PIAE CONIVGI • D • N
IMP • CAES • P • LICINI
EGNATI GALLIENI PII
FEL • AVG ■ MVNIC ■ AVREL
VINA • DEVOT • NVMINI
MAIESTATIQVE EIVS
A special value is attached to this discovery, for it proves
that the scattered remains where this slab was found, at a place
now called Henchir-el-Khanga, are those of the old Municipium
Aurelia Vina, the existence of which had hitherto been un-
known. It is probable that the inhabitants of this municipium
had good cause for raising this memorial to so worthy an
Empress as Cornelia Salonina.
It was during the reigns of Valerianus and Gallienus that
the edict issued by their predecessor Decius for the suppression
of Christianity throughout the Empire came into full operation,
and was followed by such lamentable results in the chief cities
of North Africa. The progress of the Christian Church in any
of the Roman provinces is too large a subject to be dealt with
in this slight outline of the history of the Roman occupation of
this country, but it is so intimately interwoven with the life of
the people that it merits more than passing mention. From
the time of Nero, whose memory is associated with the first
imperial persecution of Christians in Rome, down to the pro-
clamation of the edict of Decius, the Church had been subject
at intervals to the attacks of Pagan fanatics, and had more than
recovered its ground on each occasion. But its existence as a
Church, or organised form of a distinct religion, had not been
regarded as illegal till Trajan found himself forced to issue an
edict for its suppression in order to soothe the growing animosity
between votaries of the old and the new cult. During his reign
Christian communities were becoming a source of disquietude
to provincial governors on account of their extended operations
and the social position of many Roman citizens who had em-
braced the new creed. From Pliny, the governor of Bithynia
and friendly correspondent of the Emperor Trajan, we gather
1 Vide Guerin, Voyage en Tunisie, vol. ii. p. 264.