![Sample our Humanities journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5939/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Humanities.jpg"})
Abstract
Within the framework of the activities of the Soprintendenza del Mare of Sicily, a bronze ram was recovered just north of the Straits of Messina, in the area of Acqualadroni. This paper discusses technical and iconographic features of the ram and compares them with others found in Sicily, Piraeus, Tuscany and Athlit. The study shows the Acqualadroni Ram has more analogies with the latter, although it also has unique features. Radiocarbon dating suggests that the ram was used on a warship dating from the mid‐2nd century BC. It is therefore possible that the Acqualadroni Ram was lost during the Naulochus battle (36 BC) or during the Civil Wars that gave rise to the rule of Octavian.
Key words:
Acknowledgements
Description, analysis, comparison and interpretation of technical aspects of the ram were accomplished by C. A. Buccellato. The authors thank Jeff Royal for revising the English version, F. Terrasi for radiocarbon dating, G. Trojsi for XRF analysis and M. Romagnoli for wood identifications. The authors thank the Editor for help and useful advice.
Notes
1. The debate whether these long ships were the auxiliary unit, used for the rapid conveyance of messages and supplies, or warships is based on the interpretation of a wooden element connected to the stem of the ‘sister ship’. According to L. Basch and H. Frost it is the housing of a ram (Basch and Frost, Citation1975). Doubts concerning this interpretation have been advanced by M. Reddé (Citation1986: 86–90), while G. Dell'Orco (Citation1982), M. Ascani, E.M. Penso (Ascani and Penso, Citation1988) identify it as cutwater. P. Dell'Amico, equates it with a bulb (Dell'Amico, Citation1999: 83–88); S. Medas, also describes it as a cutwater (Medas, Citation2000: 170–176).
2. The other so‐called ram (Fitzwilliam, found in Wadi Belgammel, Libya) (Basch, Citation1987: 407–408; National Oceanography Centre, Citation2010; Adams et al. this volume) could be considered a proembolon due to its size.
3. Although this ram is similar in form to the other, given its modest size and its crude manufacture, it would seem to be one of the first three‐finned rams, belonging to a pentecontor.
4. The rams ware discovered in the framework of research undertaken by the Soprintendenza del Mare in collaboration with RPM Nautical Foundation, (Gulletta, Citation2005; Tusa, Citation2005; Royal and Tusa, Citation2012).
5. Analyses were performed at D.A.F. University of Tuscia by M. Romagnoli. Regarding the conservation status of the wood see Caruso et al. Citation2011.
6. Analyses were performed at the diagnostic laboratory of the University Suor Orsola Benincasa, Naples, by G. Trojsi.
7. Analyses were performed at the Laboratory CIRCE Caserta (NA) by F. Terrasi, using Accelerator Mass Spectrophotometry.
8. The three‐dimensional marble sculpture allows the application of this ratio. However, since it is a handmade ornament it could differ from the original. However, carved representations can be trusted in some cases, as noted by Murray (Citation2007).
9. In ancient historiography there are several episodes in which at the end of the battle the winners towed the enemy damaged ships and then use them in various ways; see passages of Polybius (I, 61, 7; XVI, 15, 5) and Livy (XXII, 20).
10. Some recent epigraphic discoveries prove that, even before the battle of Actium, Octavian had in his fleet an oriental sailor (Raggi, Citation2004: 123–138).
11. These are the ships that Dio Cassius reports that Antony sent to Octavian (XLIX, 5, 1).