IGI3 841 Dedication by Mechanion the secretary

Dedication by Mechanion the secretary

IG I³ 841 Date: ca. 470 BC?

Mechanion dedicated this, the secretary (ho grammateus).^[1]

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References:

IG I³ 841 (Translated text) (IG Online) (PHI)

Raubitschek, Dedications 383 (PHI)

Translation by: Edmund Stewart

Monument type: Column (pedestal for basin?)

Inscription type: Dedication (private)

Original location: Acropolis

Findspot: Acropolis (EM 6354)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This inscription is written in the flutes of a tapered column that perhaps acted as a pedestal for a basin (Raubitschek p. 411). For a similar offering, see IG I³ 794. The term ‘secretary’ (grammateus) is likely to refer to Mechanion’s profession rather than serivce as one of the annual public secretaries (on which see Agora XV 43 with notes). The use of 'secretary' as an occupational term is attested in the fourth-century phialai inscriptions, where two metics are described as secretary (grammateus, Meyer, Metics 2-9A, l. 464) and assistant secretary (hypogrammateus, Meyer, Metics 11 l. 32), and a fourth-century curse tablet (IG II³ 8, 188, l. 60). A Teisamenos son of Mechanion appears to have been active in the same broad occupation in the late fifth century; Lysias describes him contemptuously as a hypogrammateus (Lys. 30.28; cf. Andoc. 1.83). Teisamenos may possibly have been the son of this Mechanion, or a relative, especially as occupations were regularly passed down from father to son within the same family. Secretaries were paid to draw up and archive public and private documents, including (in the case of Teisamenos after 403) state laws. As such, this dedication fits into the broader category of dedications by artisans and professionals on the Acropolis, for which see IG I³ 546.

Added: 19 Aug 2025
Updated: 19 Aug 2025
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ID: AIO_3449