Dedication to Apollo, the Augusti and the People by Gladiators (imperial era)

Aigai (Mysia and the Troad, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), imperial era
Richard Bohn and Karl Schuchardt, Altertümer von Aegae (Jahrbuch des Kaiserlich Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Ergänzungsheft 2; Berlin: G. Reimer, 1889) 23 = IGladiateurs 257 = PHI 268211 = AGRW ID# 12091

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Six blocks that formed the architrave of a building in the market (agora), with a large dedication inscription. Beneath the main dedication in smaller letters is a list of different types of gladiators (with the number of their victories), gladiators who likely formed a troupe or association (sometimes deisignated a familia) like those attested elsewhere. The city of Aigai, which was part of the Aeolis, was located about 35 km south of Pergamon, and there was a temple for Apollo Chresterios to the east of Aigai.

(In large letters on the architrave of a building in the agora)
This was dedicated to the Augusti (Sebastoi), to Apollo Chresterios (“of the Oracle”), and to the People. . . . Name son of Name (?) . . . having served as director of contests . . . prepared it (?).

(In smaller letters beneath the main dedication)

(a, column 1) Herophilos, charioteer-gladiator (essedarius), free, who was victorious four times.

(a, column 2) Skaplas, charioteer-gladiator, slave, who was victorious five times.

(b, column 1) Eros, murmillo-gladiator (murmillo), free, who was victorious eighteen times.

(b, column 2) Klados, Thracian-gladiator (Thraex), slave, who was victorious. . . x (number between 11-19) times.

(c, column 1) Hierokles, charioteer-gladiator, free, who was victorious twelve times.

(c, column 2) Bakchios, charioteer-gladiator, free, who was victorious sixteen times.

(e, column 1) Okys, net-fighter (retiarius), slave, who was victorious eleven times.

(e, column 2) Beithys, murmillo-gladiator, slave, who was victorious five times.

(f) Antiochos, charioteer-gladiator, free, who was victorious seven times.

Translation by: Harland

{In large letters on the architrave of a building in the agora}

τοῖς Σ[ε]|βαστοῖ[ς κα]|ὶ Ἀπόλλωνι | [Χρηστηρίῳ | καὶ τῷ δάμῳ | [{ὁ δεῖνα τοῦ} — — —]|ς ἀγωνοθετή|σας ἐ[πεσκεύασε(?)].

{In smaller letters beneath the main dedication}

{a, column 1}

ἐσ(σεδάριος) ἐλ(εύθερος) | Ἡρόφιλος νι(κήσας) δʹ.

{a, column 2}

ἐσ(σεδάριος) δοῦ(λος) | Σκάπλας [ν]ι(κήσας)] εʹ.

{b, column 1}

μυρ(μιλλὼν) ἐλ(εύθερος) | Ἔρως νι(κήσας) ιηʹ.

{b, column 2}

Θρ(ᾷξ) δοῦ(λος) | Κλάδος νι(κήσας) ι[․]ʹ.

{c, column 1}

ἐσ(σεδάριος) ἐλ(εύθερος) | Ἱεροκλῆς νι(κήσας) ιβʹ.

{c, column 2}

ἐσ(σεδάριος) ἐλ(εύθερος) | Βάκχιος νι(κήσας) ιϛʹ.

{d}

[— — —] | [— — — ν]ι(κήσας) θʹ.

{e, column 1}

ῥητ(ιάριος) δοῦ(λος) | Ὠκὺς νι(κήσας) ιαʹ.

{e, column 2} μυρ(μιλλὼν) δοῦ(λος) | Βεῖθυς νι(κήσας) εʹ.

{f}

ἐσ(σεδάριος) ἐλ(εύθερος) | Ἀντίοχος νι(κήσας) ζʹ.

Drawing from Richard Bohn and Karl Schuchardt, Altertümer von Aegae (Jahrbuch des Kaiserlich Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Ergänzungsheft 2; Berlin: G. Reimer, 1889) 23.
Public domain.

Item added: May 8, 2013
Item modified: December 4, 2015
ID number: 12091
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=12091

Category: 3) Asia Minor, Apollo, c) Mysia and the Troad, Dedication inscription, h) Groups of performers, athletes, or gladiators, k) undated, Roman emperor or imperial figure (as a deity)

Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

An expanding collection of inscriptions, papyri, and other sources in translation (run by Philip A. Harland)

Dedication to Apollo, the Augusti and the People by Gladiators (imperial era) ║ Aigai - Mysia and the Troad

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