During the investigations carried out around the Pozzo Pantaleo area of the via Portuense, in Rome (2009-2013), an inscribed stone from the Vespasian age containing the provision for an expropriation ordered directly by the first of Flavians – through the college of pontiffs, led by Vespasian himself – was found. The measure was adopted in order to free an area that had been illegally occupied by private individuals. The inscription presents the interesting case of a restitutio in sacrum, not otherwise documented in Rome or elsewhere. The closing formula, consisting of a sequence of abbreviations which are currently devoid of comparisons, is problematic. This important document was inserted in its original context, and the stratigraphies were analysed along with the materials found, in order to support the interpretative hypotheses advanced and to provide reliable and detailed chronological references.
