IGII34 936 Dedication to the Hero Amphilochos by a family

Dedication to the Hero Amphilochos by a family

IG II³ 4 936 Date: 2nd century AD

Logos son of Philokles^[1] of Piraeus and Sympherousa daughter of Hermias of Marathon (5)and their sons Herodikos, Olympiodoros, Demetrios, Hermeias, priest for life of the hero (10)doctor, Amphilochos (dedicated this).^[2]

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References:

IG II³ 4 936 (Translated text) (IG Online)

IG II² 7175 (PHI)

Translation by: Evan Waters

Monument type: Column

Inscription type: Dedication (private, Hero Amphilochos)

Findspot: Athens (Würzburg H. S. 29, 330)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] One of a pair of dedications made by the same family, cf. IG II³ 4, 937. The unusual name Logos ("word") is attested primarily in the 2nd century AD, cf. LGPN ΙΙ s.v. Logos. [2] Amphilochos is perhaps the hero and seer, son of Amphiaraos and descendant of the seer par excellence Melampus (see LIMC I 713–717). In addition to Amphilochus’ better known oracle at Mallos in Cilicia, the Athenians possessed an altar to the hero in Athens (Paus. 1.34.3). For an altar found in Rome possibly dedicated to this same figure, see IGUR I 142.

Amphilochos is one of a number of healer-heroes in Attica, including Asclepius (IG II³ 4, 665; R. Parker Athenian Religion, 1996, 176; Parker, Polytheism and Society at Athens, 2006, 411–415). On dedications to another (?) “Hero Doctor” in Athens, cf. e.g. IG II³ 1, 1154, IG II² 840. Amphilochos’s father, Amphiaraos, was also addressed as “Hero Doctor,” according to a dedication found in the northern Attic deme of Rhamnous, where the Athenians possessed a small sanctuary to the hero (cf. IG II³ 4, 926). Amphiaraos’ worship became more prominent there as Athens lost control of the larger healing sanctuary to Amphiaraos near Oropos, the Amphiareion, (cf. J. Camp, The Archaeology of Athens, 2001, 322–324). At this well-attested site, a dedication has also been found addressed to his son, Amphilochos (I. Oropus 345), and an altar is attested as well (Paus. 1.34.3; cf. Camp, Archaeology of Athens, 323), indicating that healing was something of a family business. There is a slot in the top of the column for inserting a votive.

Added: 15 May 2025
Updated: 15 May 2025
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