Tabula ansata

A tabula ansata (Latin for " panel with handle ", plural tabulae ansatae ) is a rectangular inscription panel with triangular or peltenformigen approaches on the narrow sides. Framework in the form of a tabula ansata were in ancient Roman times a popular stylistic device in the enclosure of inscriptions. These are found mainly in relief in stone monuments, such as the Dativius -Victor- arc in Mainz, but also on everyday objects such as dishes or weapons. Their function was to emphasize the enclosed inscription.

Modifications of the tabula ansata are:

• Approaches in flower shape ( ansae Duo bus floribus effectae )
• Approaches with Kymatia ( ansae ex cymatiis compositae )
• Approaches that have in the middle of a stylized rose ( ansae in medio eius pink in formam geometricam redacta )

The oldest known tabula ansata was found in Larisa, Greece. It is a votive inscription to the god Enyalios from the 7th century BC to the 6th century BC is known gehenkelte a panel of bronze from Olympia. In the Roman Empire gehenkelte panels were first used by the military and in the cultic- sacral area. The Trajan's column shows, for example, Roman Legioniäre whose Scuta are provided with tabulae ansatae on which the unit affiliation is noted. Towards the end of the 2nd and n in the 3rd century BC their use became increasingly secularized. It is widespread to the Late Antiquity in the Reich.