BRICKSTAMP, Rome Alison E. Cooley AEC/ASHLI AN1872.1486.xml Oxford Ashmolean Museum AN1872.1486 AshLI 183 Coll. Ref: 4 Roman catalogue: 368

Half of a circular, orbicular stamp (0.092), in very good condition. The remains of an orbiculus can be seen, but its exact dimensions (0.02+.) are unclear. Brick: 0.13+ 0.065+ 0.038+

There are two lines of letters around the edge of the stamp, running in concentric circles. The lettering is elegant, with serifs. There is a triangular interpunct (line 1). In the centre of the stamp is the rear end of an animal, identifiable as a wolf by comparison with other stamps produced by Rutilius Lupus. For other similar stamps, see AN1872.1482(1) (no.364), AN1872.1483(1*) (no.365), AN1872.1484(2) (no.366), AN1872.1485(3) (no.367).

 Letters: 0.013 (outer line), 0.012 (inner line). Rome AD 115 (consular date). This brickstamp is part of a collection of brickstamps from Rome, Ostia, and Portus given to the Ashmolean by J.H. Parker, Keeper of Antiquities in the Ashmolean Museum (1870-84), after a visit to Rome in the winter months of 1871/2. It is currently in store. Photograph
Marci Rutili Lupi Messalla et Pedone consulibus

Of Marcus Rutilius Lupus. In the consulship of Messalla and Pedo.

M. Rutilius Lupus is the earliest known owner of the Brutian brickyards (figlinae Brutianae) (Steinby 1974-75: pp.27-28; Bodel 2005), and he is an important figure in the development of the practice of stamping bricks. He is identified with a high-ranking equestrian, annona-prefect (AD 107-112) and then prefect of Egypt (AD 113-117) (PIR2 R252). At this date, the practice of identifying the date of brickstamps by the year’s consuls appears to have been unique to Rutilius Lupus, although it later became common practice for a short time, during the period AD 123-136. The wolf-motif in the centre of the stamp alludes to the Latin word lupus (wolf), clearly alluding to none other than Rutilius Lupus himself. Bodel suggests that these two distinguishing marks (consular date and wolf-motif) were used as a way of tracking brick production during Rutilius Lupus’ four-year absence from Rome in Egypt (Bodel 2005: p.67).

Ashmolean Museum Department of Antiquities MS. Accession Register 1872.1486 (4); CIL XV.1 no.22 a5 (impression sent by Waldstein) (Dressel 1891)

Online: EDCS-30100264 [accessed 30/10/14]

Bodel J. 2005 Speaking signa and the brickstamps of M. Rutilius Lupus Interpretare i bolli laterizi di Roma e della valle del Tevere: produzione, storia economica e topografica C.Bruun Rome Acta Instituti Romani Finlandiae 32 61-94 SteinbyM. 1974-75 La cronologia delle figlinae doliari urbane Bullettino della commissione archeologica comunale di Roma 84 25-132