Description
Grey marble stele, broken above and below. Arched pediment, with half-palmettes at left and right and vine-scroll pattern on the outer moulding. In the pediment, in relief, (l.) male figure on horseback in billowing cloak, right hand raised, holding uncertain object; (r.) standing female figure in veil and pallia. At lower left and right corners of pediment, depictions in relief of (l.) uncertain object, (r.) wool-basket. Inscription in inset panel on shaft; to left and right, pilasters with stylised capitals.
Commentary
The large concentration of freedmen Aelii at and around Laodikeia is noted by Mitchell 1993: I 156, who argues for the existence of a large imperial estate in this region from the reign of Hadrian onwards (cf. [MAMA XI 256] [1957/90]: Aelius Longus). Euboia was apparently owned by a pair of former imperial slaves from this large estate. The relief depicts a female figure alongside a rider-god: see the commentary to [MAMA XI 365] (1956/191: Komitanassos).