IGII2 3391 Dedication of the market inspectors' office (Agoranomion)

Dedication of the market inspectors' office (Agoranomion)

IG II² 3391 Date: 138-161 AD

To Emperor Titus Aelius Hadrianus Antoninus Pius the Council of the 500 dedicated the market inspectors’ office (agoranomion), when the market inspectors (agoranomountōn) were Antipatros son of Mousaios [of Alopeke] and Leukios (son of Leukios) of Marathon.^[1]

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References:

IG II² 3391 (Translated text) (PHI)

Ameling, Herodes Atticus II 216

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Images: Wikimedia Commons - (1)

Monument type: Architectural fragment (architrave)

Inscription type: Building inscription, Dedication (Council), Dedication (emperor)

Findspot: Roman Agora, near the Gate of Athena Archegetis (Athens Ephoria)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This inscription is carved on a block from a façade, consisting of an arch with a rosette on either side. It derives from the Imperial-era market inspectors’ office (Agoranomion), which was dedicated to the emperor Antoninus Pius (r. 138-161 AD), on whom see Oliver, Constitutions 134 with note. The Agoranomion was the Imperial-period headquarters of the market inspectors (agoranomoi), the officials responsible for managing Athens’ markets (See G. Oliver in L. Capdetrey & C. Hasenohr, Agoranomes et édiles, 2012, 81-100). These officials also appear in this period in IG II² 3238 and 3602, IG II³ 4, 30, 123, and 127. SEG 36.233 is a standard measure, which probably came from this building. The findspots of these inscriptions indicate that it was located in the Roman Agora (which took over the commercial functions of the Agora in the Imperial Period). The Agoranomion has often been identified with the Arctuated Building at the east end of the Roman Agora, because its façade blocks are similar to this inscription, but the dimensions are different and it appears to be about a century older (see IG II³ 4, 1403 with notes). Nevertheless, the findspot of this inscription and others associated with the Agoranomion indicate that it was located in or near the Roman Agora. Travlos Pictorial Dictionary 37 suggests that it was outside the west gate of the Roman Agora, since this block, as well as IG II² 3238 and 3602 were found there. Most recently, D. S. Sourlas has proposed that it was located in the south stoa of the Roman Agora, next to the fountain (D. S. Sourlas, in V. Chankowski and P. Karvonis, Tout vendre, tout acheter, 2012, 128-32 with further bibliography). Where the Agoranomion was located before the construction of the building attested in this inscription in the reign of Antoninus Pius has not been discussed. On the Roman Agora in general, see IG II³ 4, 12 with notes.

The fact that the Council dedicates the structure is a sign of the Council’s continued vitality in the Imperial era, as well as a continuation of its traditional role in commerce and construction (cf. P. J. Rhodes, The Athenian Boule, 1972, 122–127, 142). For another contemporary instance of this (also from the Roman Agora), see IG II² 1100, ll. 49-52. For the dedication of structures to emperors, see IG II³ 4, 1405 and 126 with notes.

Added: 6 Mar 2026
Updated: 6 Mar 2026
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ID: AIO_3622