Model of a gateway

01/2007

The fired clay model of a gateway was discovered at Dunapentele, the ancient Intercisa in Fejér county. Many examples of clay towers with reticulated doors and windows are known in Pannonia and in other former provinces of the Roman empire : they were used as "lighting towers" placed over light sources. With the help of this gateway model, which was made at around the beginning of the third century, we can obtain some idea of the kind of gateways Roman towns and fortresses had. The triple-arched gateway stands between two towers; above it is an engraved inscription. The third storey has four windows beneath rounded arches, above which there remains a fragment of the helm roof. The inscription says : (H)ILARUS FEC(IT) PORTA(M) FEL(ICITER), which means, Hilarus made this gateway with pleasure.