Julius Aurelius Salamallat

Julius Aurelius Salamallat was an entrepreneur from Palmyra who acted as archespores, a word describing wealthy businessman who could provide the transport animals, raise the finances necessary for backing for a group of merchants to form a caravan, and then organize, lead and protect the caravan on its journey to and from its destination. As the caravan leader he undoubtedly realized a considerable profit from the venture either participating in the actual purchase of goods or being paid by the participants a fixed sum of the profit.

Salamallat was honored with a statue in the Great Colonnade for leading a caravan safely back to Palmyra in 257/258 CE:

“The Council and people to Julius Aurelius Salamallat, son of Male Abdai, the chief merchant, who escorted the caravan at his own expense (dedicated this) in his honour, in the year 569 (AD 257/258).”

This act would seem to be one of the acts of euergetism, the practice common in the ancient world in which the rich made a contribution to the public goods from its own funds with the aim to increase their political influence and power.