The following inscriptions appear below two large niches opposite each other, which flank the passageway leading down into the arena on the north side of the Amphitheatre. This would presumably have been the entrance used by processions entering the building. Although it is generally assumed that the niches above held honorific portrait statues of the father and son named on the inscriptions, there are signs of a metal grille barring off the niches. This suggests that something of great value stood there, perhaps precious-metal statues of deities. The fact that the inscriptions are in the nominative (instead of the dative) case also implies that they are not honorific in character, but record something which the two men have done. They might, therefore, have donated such statues. Another suggestion is that Cuspius Pansa, father, was appointed as a prefect following the earthquake of AD 62, with special responsibility for helping to sort out the town. One of his tasks, then, may have been seeing to the restoration and reinforcement of the Amphitheatre. This certainly happened, as can be seen from the addition of brick buttresses to shore up existing structures. The same pair were honoured with statues in the Forum, which stood on bases decorated with gladiatorial motifs (F94—95).
D6 CIL X 858 = ILS 6359
Gaius Cuspius Pansa, son of Gaius, the father, duumvir with judicial power four times, quinquennial, prefect with judicial power by decree of the town councillors in accordance with the Petronian Law.
D7 CIL X 859 = ILS 6359a
Gaius Cuspius Pansa, son of Gaius, the son, priest, duumvir with judicial power.
World History
