by Preveza Abrashi

This article discusses the Aedicula of stele of an Illyrian family, erected by lucunda for her brother Epicadus and her sister Teuta, a former slave of Melankos. Found near the south branch of the Via Egnatia in the vicinity of Roskovec, Albania. First century AD.

Abstract

This funerary aedicula stele, erected in the first century AD near the southern branch of the Via Egnatia in the vicinity of Roskovec (modern Albania), commemorates Epicadus and Teuta, the latter identified as a former slave of Melankos. Dedicated by Lucunda, presumably a family member, the monument reflects the complex social, cultural, and legal identities present in Roman Illyricum. The architectural form of the aedicula, with its classical decorative elements, demonstrates the adoption of Roman funerary conventions within a provincial context. At the same time, the personal names suggest local Illyrian traditions persisting under Roman rule. The stele offers valuable evidence for processes of Romanization, manumission practices, family structure, and regional identity along the Via Egnatia corridor during the early Imperial period.

Sources

Corpus Inscriptionum Latinarum. Vol. III: Inscriptiones Asiae, provinciarum Europae Graecarum, Illyrici Latinae. Berlin: Georg Reimer, 1873–1902.

Anamali, Skënder, and Muzafer Korkuti, eds. Iliria. Tirana: Akademia e Shkencave e Shqipërisë, various years.

Ceka, Neritan. Iliria Romake. Tirana: Toena, 2005.