IGII34 770 Dedication to Asklepios and Hygieia by a priest of Asklepios

Dedication to Asklepios and Hygieia by a priest of Asklepios

IG II³ 4 770 Date: 113/2 or 101/0 BC

[Zenon of Melite^VIII], having become priest, dedicated this to Asklepios and [Hygieia],^[1] when the keyholder (kleidouchountos) was his son Leonides,^[2] when the basket-bearer (kanēphorousēs) was Soteira daughter of Athenagoras [of Melite].^[3]

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References:

IG II³ 4 770 (Translated text) (IG Online)

IG II² 4456 (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Monument type: Epistyle

Inscription type: Dedication (public, priest), Dedication (public, Asklepios), Dedication (public, Hygieia)

Findspot: Asklepieion (Lost)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This epistyle block comes from an unidentified structure within the Asklepieion on the south slope of the Acropolis (on which, see IG II³ 4, 665). Zenon erected various statues and dedications on Delos in the 110s BC (I Delos 1871, 2048, 2092, 2352, and 2630 l. 17). Soteira, the basket-bearer, was both his niece and his wife. Their son Leonides erected I Delos 2093, along with his brothers. The family rose to prominence on Delos after it came under Athenian control in 166 BC and, as the Claudii of Melite, were one of the most prominent families in Athens during the Imperial period (see Agora XV 300 and E. A. Kapetanopoulos BCH 92, 1968, 493-518, with stemma). If the tribal cycle of the priesthood of Asklepios was operating regularly in this period, then the inscription should date to 113/2 or 101/0 BC (cf. Aleshire, Asklepieion p. 372). The stone was last seen by Ulrich Koehler (IG II 1204) some time before 1888 and now appears to be lost. [2] For the keyholder and fire-bearer (kleidouchos kai pyrphoros), see SEG 18.26 with notes. [3] As in other cults, the basket-bearer (kanephoros) was responsible for bringing the basket containing implements for the sacrifice (see R. Parker, Polytheism and Society, 2007, 223-26). IG II² 3457 (4^th or 3^rd century BC?) specifies that she served during the Epidauria festival. Other basket-bearers of Asklepios appear in inscriptions from 138/7 BC through the Imperial period (IG II³ 4 787, IG II² 3554, ll. 18-22, 3635, 3655, 3728, IG II³ 4, 850 B, l. 6). The post is probably the same as the arrephoros referred to in SEG 18.26, l. 18 and 18.29, l. 13. The basket itself (made of silver) appears in the Asklepieion's inventories (IG II³ 1, 898, l. 108 and 1010, l. 216).

Added: 15 May 2025
Updated: 15 May 2025
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ID: AIO_3338