A NUMBER of interesting finds at Minturno have been reported recently by Dr. Jotham Johnson. Among these, part of the sculpture from the fountain was revealed in the form of a Silenus (complete from neck to knees) who holds a large jug from which came the water. A remarkably well-preserved head dates from the first century A. D.
Two colored revetment plaques are among the most interesting pieces of their kind in Italy. Architectural terra-cottas in general have been found in considerable numbers, and the buildings from which they came have been rather definitely identified. The terra-cottas date from the late fourth century B. c. to the first century A.D., with the fourth, third and first centuries B.C. particularly well represented.
Image Number: 26156
A statue base [Plate VIII] is one of the many that have been found. According to the inscription on it, it was erected by the citizens of Minturno in honor of Furia Sabinia Tranquillina, ‘august and most revered wife of Gordianus Pius,’ who reigned from 238 to 244 A. D.
The attractive head of Venus, shown in Plate IX, is an interesting Roman copy of Greek sculpture. It was found earlier in the season, but a photograph has not been available until now.