IGII34 718 Dedication to Asklepios and Hygieia by Hegemachos

Dedication to Asklepios and Hygieia by Hegemachos

IG II³ 4 718 Date: ca. 350-300 BC

On abacus Hegemachos son of Krataimenes of Lamptrai (dedicated this) to Asklepios, (5) having suffered many terrible things, having seen a vision, having been saved, he dedicated (this) in the priesthood of Theophilos, On shaft to Asklepios (and) Hygieia.^[1] Eurymedon son of Hegemachos (dedicated it).^[2]

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References:

IG II³ 4 718 (Translated text) (IG Online)

SEG 23.124 (PHI)

CEG 2, 755

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Monument type: Pillar

Inscription type: Dedication (private, Asklepios), Dedication (private, Hygieia), metrical (dactylic hexameter)

Original location: Asklepieion

Findspot: Asklepieion (Athens Ephoria ΝΚ 91)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This rectangular pillar was dedicated in the Asklepieion on the south slope of the Acropolis (on which see IG II³ 4, 665 with notes). Sick people slept in the sanctuary in the hope of having a dream in which Asklepios would cure them or tell them what to do in order to be cured, as it appears Hegemachos had. The procedure, which is called 'incubation', is depicted on the relief decoration of IG II³ 4, 885 and Aristophanes, Wealth 633-746 gives an extended parodic account. Ll. 5-6 form a single dactylic hexameter that draws a parallel between Hegemachos’ experiences and the sufferings of Odysseus. On references to dreams in dedications see G. Renberg, in E. Scioli and C. Walde eds., Sub Imagine Somni: Nighttime phenomena in Greco-Roman culture, 2010, 33-61. There is a cutting on top for the insertion of a votive. [2] L. 9 seems to be inscribed in the same hand as the rest of the inscription. It appears to mean that Hegemachos began or planned the dedication and his son Eurymedon later completed or restored it.

Added: 15 May 2025
Updated: 19 Aug 2025
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ID: AIO_3353