In this section we will investigate various structures in Portus and a unique relief, the so-called Torlonia relief. For the study we possess many inscriptions, depictions (including some on vessels made in the south of France), and data from excavations and geophysical research.
The Torlonia relief was found in Portus. It was made in the Severan period or perhaps during the reign of Commodus. It is a votive gift of a skipper or guild of skippers, most likely the Guild of the Skippers of the Adriatic Sea. The obvious destination was a Temple of Liber Pater in Portus. On the relief we see Liber Pater, the god of wine, and next to him a quadriga, normally a four-horse chariot, but here a chariot with a person in it, pulled by elephants. The human figure is most likely an Emperor, alive or deified. The relief has given rise to discussions about the dating and location of the quadriga, a Wine Forum, and the Temple of Liber Pater.
The quadriga, probably supported by an arch, was in the harbour of Trajan from at least the period c. 135-150 AD. There are many hints about a possible earlier history, but no certainties. The quadriga may already have been erected in the harbour of Claudius, by Claudius, or for him by Nero. In that case it was later moved to the harbour of Trajan, presumably by Trajan. The quadriga may also have been erected ex novo in the harbour of Trajan, by him, or for him by Hadrian. The phrase quadriga fori vinari ("quadriga of the Wine Forum"), found in an inscription, may refer to the physical quadriga. In that case it was on or near a Wine Forum. The phrase may also refer to a commercial organization of four parties, named after the physical quadriga. In that case it was not necessarily on or near this Wine Market. The quadriga is depicted in the harbour of Trajan on a vessel made in Gaul. Below the quadriga is a graffito that may perhaps be read as [fo]RI VI[nari].
The Wine Forum was also located in the harbour of Trajan from at least the period c. 135-150 AD. There are no certainties about its earlier history. It may originally have been in Ostia or the harbour of Claudius. The link between the quadriga and the forum indicates that either Trajan or Hadrian installed the forum in the harbour of Trajan. On the forum was an unidentified temple. It is possible but not certain that this was the Temple of Liber Pater. On the forum was also a shrine of the Guild of the Genius of the Wine Forum. This guild may have called itself ad quadrigam fori vinari.
The Temple of Liber Pater was in the centre of the north-east quay of the harbour of Trajan. It existed at least from the reign of Commodus, but is most likely Trajanic. It was on the back part of a large square or temenos. In front of the square was a colossal statue of Trajan. It is tempting to regard the quadriga, the forum, the temple and the statue as part of the same Trajanic complex. Confirmation can only be provided by excavation.
Merchants from Ostia sold imported wine on the Wine Forum, merchants from Rome wine from the hinterland of Rome. The Wine Forum and Wine Harbour documented in inscriptions in Rome may well be the forum and harbour in Portus. In that case the auctioneers and bankers came from Rome.
Wine in amphoras is taken from a cargo ship to a small boat and poured into other containers.
Relief in the Mediterranean Museum, Stockholm. Probably from Rome or Ostia.
Click on the photo to enlarge. Photo: Jorgen Christian Meyer.
