IGII34 1213 Dedication to Hera Bounaia

Dedication to Hera Bounaia

IG II³ 4 1213 Date: mid 3rd cent. BC?

To Hera Bounaia,^[1] Apollodoros son of Ariston, of O . . . , since the god commanded it,^[2] dedicated this (base), uninscribed space when Kephisophon of Athmonon (5) was priest for the fifth time.^[3] uninscribed space

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References:

IG II³ 4 1213 (Translated text) (IG Online)

IG II² 4675 (PHI)

Translation by: James Hua

Monument type: Base

Inscription type: Dedication (private)

Original location: Unknown

Findspot: Unknown (EM 2750)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] Textual note: The first editor, A. Wilhelm, Beiträge zur griechischen Inschriftenkunde, 44-46 no. 30, followed by P. Graindor, BCH 38, 1914, 373 and R. Parker, Polytheism and Society at Athens, 404 note 69, read the epithet as Βουλαίαι (Boulaia, ‘of the Council chamber’). This is attested for multiple gods worshipped in Athens (Zeus, Athena, Hestia, Artemis) and who had altars or statues in Athens’ Council chamber. Kirchner (IG II²) and Curbera (IG II³), however, corrected it to Βουναίαι (Bounaia).

This base, of blue-grey marble and with a projection at the top, preserves a cutting on its top surface for the insertion of a votive. The cult of Hera Bounaia is otherwise unattested in Athens, but Pausanias 2.4.7 records its presence at Corinth’s Acropolis (Pausanias derives the epithet from Hermes’ son Bounos who founded the cult, but it probably comes from bounos, a Doric Greek word meaning "mound" or "bed of straw"). The worship of a Corinthian deity in Athens is unusual. For another private dedication to Hera, see IG II³ 4 1212. [2] A well-attested formula in Attica, appearing at least seven times, indicating that the inscription and dedication constitute the fulfilment of an order from a god. A. Wilhelm, Beiträge zur griechischen Inschriftenkunde, 45, therefore suggested that this base was originally dedicated in the sanctuary of Asklepios on the South Slope of the Acropolis (on which, see IG II³ 4 665 with notes), since other inscriptions there utilise this formula, but the formula is used for other deities and no priest of Asklepios could have served five times. The erection of a dedication for a Corinthian female deity (Hera Bounaia) at the command of a male god in Athens is unusual. See note 1. [3] The priest recorded here may be the same Kephisophon attested in c. 248/7 BC in a public subscription for the preservation of the city and the protection of the countryside (IG II³ 1, 1011 l.108, cf. A. Wilhelm, Beiträge zur griechischen Inschriftenkunde, 46). This expression for the number of years a priesthood has been occupied by a priest is rare at this date; see R. Parker, Polytheism and Society at Athens, 404 note 69, who cites IG II³ 4 658 as the only example of the expression ‘in the second office of X’.

Added: 15 May 2025
Updated: 15 May 2025
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