building inscription (Q228)

Inscriptions related to buildings or elements of the construction, often provide information about the financing, construction, dedication, or history and significance. These inscriptions can include information about the date of construction, names of builders, names of the restorers, commissioners and architects, reasons for construction, details of financing and execution, and cultural, religious or historical contexts. Often they contain references or acclamations to the emperors who instigated the work. In its simplest form, it states the name of the builder with an addition such as "fecit" (had built) or "restituit" (had restored) (in Latin). Details of the financing and the authority or commission that approved the construction can also often be found. In the case of military buildings, the name of the troop unit carrying out the work and the names of the officers and commanders involved are often mentioned. The name of the architect rarely appears [Meyer 1973, 59-61]. Typically, these inscriptions are engraved on the building itself, plaques attached to it, or placed near the construction. Building inscriptions may serve as a form of self-expression and demonstration of euergetism, emphasising donations or gifts from an individual to the community [Schmidt 2004, 57-61]