Metallum Messallini – A New Roman Lead Ingot from the Danube Provinces

Abstract

A Roman lead ingot with the mould mark metallo Messallini provides highly interesting insight into the economic side of power politics pursued by the first Roman emperor Augustus. The proprietor of the mine, Messallinus, can be identified with Marcus Valerius Messalla Messallinus, consul in 3 BC and governor of Illyricum in AD 6. At the beginning of the Illyrian revolt in AD 6 he achieved important victories over the insurgent tribes. The mines were likely a gift from Augustus (who owned mines in that region) to  Messallinus for his deeds. The shape of the panel and the inscription on the ingot as well as lead isotope analysis suggest an origin in  the ore regions of Serbia and the Kosovo. According to the isotope comparison, the mines were located in the district of today’s Novo Brdo in eastern Kosovo (Figure 1).