Ostians in Sardinia

The ties between Ostia and Sardinia, in particular Turris Libisonis, were analysed by Attilio Mastino. In the second century a funerary inscription was put up for Cerdo, slave of Lucius Veratius Hermeros, by Iuvenalis, slave of Marcus Iulius Genialis. Cerdo is said to be from Ostia, ab Ostia. Presumably he died in Turris Libisonis on a business trip for his master, and was buried by a slave of a business associate.

D(is) M(anibus) CERDONI L(ucii) VERATI(i) HERMEROTIS AB OSTIA FECIT IVVENALIS M(arci) IVLI GENIALIS	Funerary inscription of Cerdo. EDR153036. Second century. Photo: EDR.

In the second or third century we find in the city Rutilius Ostesis, i.e. Ostiensis. Ostiensis is the name often given to freed slaves of Ostia. He was buried by his son Amantius.

D(is) M(anibus) RVTILIVS OSTES IS VIXIT ANNIS LVII M(ensibus) II DIEBVS XII FECIT AMAN TIVS PATRI B(ene) M(erenti)	Funerary inscription of Rutilius Ostesis. EDCS-12100558. Second half of the 2nd or 3rd century. Image: Mastino 1984, p. 90.

In the fourth century a funeral was arranged by two people, Pollius Savinus and Calpurnia. After Calpurnia we read "Ostia", perhaps short for ab Ostia.

D(is) [M(anibus)] POLLIVS [---] VS VIXIT AN(nos) V[---] MENS(es) III DIES V F[e] CIT POLLIVS SAV[i] NVS ET CALPVR NIA OSTIA CVM ALVMNO FECIT B(ene) M(erenti)	Funerary inscription mentioning Calpurnia Ostia. EDR078363. Second half of the 4th century. Photo: Quattrocchi 2013, Tav. LVI, fig. 104.

An important citizen of Ostia, Aulus Egrilius Plarianus, is documented in the city (CIL X, 7955; CIL XIV, 346). It is conceivable however that this inscription was taken from Ostia to Sardinia (many inscriptions were taken from Ostia to Civitavecchia, Pisa and other places).

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