Sometime in the late first century b.c., a man by the name of Marcus Novius Tubula left the Italian countryside and moved to Rome. Tubula was from a town called Interamna Lirenas, located 75 miles southeast of the capital, and was chasing his dreams of something bigger. Tubula found political success and was elected as a tribune of the plebs, once one of the most important offices in Rome. To publicize his achievement to those back home, he had a limestone sundial erected in Interamna’s forum. The timepiece, which was inscribed with Tubula’s name and elected office, functioned as an ancient billboard, announcing that he was now someone with clout. A small-town boy had made it in the big city.
Become a Digital Subscriber Today
Get full access to all content on the ARCHAEOLOGY website and our PDF archive going back to the first publication in March 1948.
Already a Subscriber? Sign In
