Discovered within the Stabiae gate of Pompeii, this inscription is one of many in Oscan present in the city in the Second Century BCE. It provides precious information regarding the street plan and sacred areas of the ancient city.
The text gives detailed indications of distances, the delimitation by the aediles and under the authority of the meddix – the highest-ranking magistrate of the city – of a street (Via Pompeiana) which led to the kaíla Iúvei Meeílíkiei, the shrine devoted to Jupiter Meilichios (“sweet as honey”).
For a long time, this sacellum was erroneously thought to be a small temple on the Via Stabiana, which was probably devoted to Asclepius. In light of recent excavations and of a correct interpretation of the inscription, it has been possible to locate it within the sacred suburban area of Fondo Iozzino, a few hundred meters outside the walls of the ancient city. It has emerged with certainty that the goddess Hecate, often associated with Jupiter Meilichios, was also worshipped here.