The Seat of the Lance-bearers is situated to the east of the Campus of the Magna Mater. It is to the west of an open space with a brick porticus on the north-east side. The entrance has of a porch with five marble steps and two marble columns. The seat consists of a hall (c. 5.50 x 5.50). Masonry bases were set against the back wall. The floor and walls were decorated with opus sectile. The building is probably Hadrianic.
Plan of the east part of the temple-complex of the Magna Mater.
From Vermaseren 1977, fig. 24.
A base with inscription was found in front of the seat:
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NVMINI DOM(us) AVG(ustae) SACR(um) L(ucius) LAELIVS SP(urii) F(ilius) HERENNIANVS SCRIBA CERARIVS COLLEGIO HASTIFOR(um) OSTIENSIVM S(ua) P(ecunia) D(ono) D(edit) |
Other inscriptions mentioning the Hastiferi were found in the neighbourhood. These lance-bearers were worshippers of Bellona, who had a temple to the west of the seat. They may have performed ritual war dances.
