Goblet from Angers

TNMM 452

Spherical goblet of the Déchelette 72 type, with missing rim. The general morphology, the profile of the foot and the small size of the beaker suggest that the vase was made at the earliest in the last quarter of the 2nd century, but could hardly have been made before the beginning of the 3rd century AD. (oral communication by R. Delage). The small size of the vase makes it easy to hold for individual use.

Height of the letters: between 3 mm and 3.7 mm.

---]M [---]Deo[ inuic]to Mytrh[ae
]s Genialis ciues Ambian[in]us (or Ambian[ic]us) exuoto d[edit
frat]ribus, omni loco, [ N]ama!

’--- To the unconquered god Mytrha, [...]s (? son of) Genialis, Ambian citizen, gave in accordance with his vow, for his brethren (, ) in all places [...]. Glory!’

The Sanskrit or Avestic word Nama is a frequent acclamation of praise ’Glory!’ on Roman-era Mithraic monuments (Cumont 1896-1899, p. 539; Turcan 1993, p. 94; Clauss 2012, pp. 102-104).

It must therefore be assumed that this Ambien went to Lezoux where he had this small vase made and engraved in his name before leaving it as an ex-voto at the mithraeum of Iuliomagus, at the end of a trip made for professional or private reasons. There are other examples of Mithraic vases made at Lezoux (Vertet 1984), where a varied clientele including officials from all over the Roman Empire was supplied, although it is not clear that there was a community of Mithra devotees there.

Dating: second half of the 2nd century or first third of the 3rd century.