A female slave dealer? <i>CIL</i> 6.399 and the traffic of Syrians to Italy

ABSTRACT Frequently overlooked, CIL 6.399 is a valuable inscription for the study of Roman slave dealers and the trafficking of human beings from Syria to Italy in the first century Ce. After addressing questions of date and provenance, this article argues that the altar’s dedication to the genius of the slave market and to the Syrian goddess provides evidence for Caius Granius Hilarus and Lissia Sabina’s involvement in the transmarine slave trade. The second half of this article investigates the relationship between the two dedicators, contending that Lissia Sabina was Caius Granius Hilarus’ business partner, distinguishing the inscription as a rare example of female participation in slave trading during the Roman period.