IGII34 1503 Altar to Theseus

Altar to Theseus

IG II³ 4 1503 Date: ca. 150 BC

Apollonides son of Hieron of Rhamnous, having become priest, dedicated this to Theseus.^[1]

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References:

IG II³ 4 1503 (Translated text) (IG Online)

IG II² 2865 (PHI)

Tracy, ALC 247

Translation by: Lily Baugh

Monument type: Altar

Inscription type: Dedication (private, Theseus)

Findspot: Attica, Acropolis (EM 8720)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This inscription is on a cylindrical, marble altar, and is divided in half by a relief of a bucranium, or bull’s skull. There are two more bucrania on the sides of the altar, with a floral garland above. R. Parker Athenian Religion (1996) 127, n.21 has argued that the dedicatory formula “having become priest” (ἱερεὺς γενόμενος) indicates that the priesthood of Theseus was an annual appointment. For other such "democratic" priesthoods, see IG II³ 1, 359 and IG I³ 35 with notes.

There were at least five sanctuaries of Theseus in Athens, of which the most significant was the temple of Theseus (not to be confused with the modern Theseion, which was dedicated to Hephaistos), which was probably located to the north of the Acropolis, beside the Ptolemaion gymnasium, although it has not been located archaeologically (Cf. R. von den Hoff, in R. von den Hoff, B. Kreuzer, eds., Theseus: Der Held der Athener, 2003, 33-35). Paus. 1.17.2-6 and Plut. Thes. 36 both give this location and an account of the recovery of Theseus’ bones and the founding of the temple. For other inscriptions relating to the cult of Theseus see IG II³ 4, 74, 1502 and IG II³ 4 1504. See also the related inscriptions: IG II² 956 and IG II² 957 on the crowning of victors by the competition-director of the Theseia festival, IG II² 1035, l. 48 mentioning a sanctuary of Theseus, and IG II³ 4, 1884, an inscription on one of the seats of the theatre of Dionysos at Athens allocated to the priest of Theseus. For the significance of Theseus at Athens in the Imperial period, see SEG 50.155 and IG II² 5185 with notes. For more on the cult of Theseus and on Theseus in Athenian literature, see H.J. Walker, Theseus and Athens (1995).

Added: 15 May 2025
Updated: 15 May 2025
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