Dedication to Dionysos Parabolos by a Society (117-137 CE)

Byzantion (Thrace, Danube and Black Sea areas — Pleiades map), 117-137 CE
IByzantion 37 = Louis Robert, "Documents d’Asie Mineure," BCH 102 (1978) 395–543, at 523-533 = SEG 28 (1978), no. 562 = PHI 170878 = AGRW ID# 13964
Copenhagen Inventory info: 316

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Slab, now lost (59 x 37 x 10 cm). The relief depicts Dionysos on the right holding a wand (thyrsos) in one hand and a jug in the other, pouring out something into a container held by a boy on the left over a burning altar with a panther beside the altar (see photo in Robert). If Robert's interpretation of the epithet Parabolos (which is otherwise unattested) is correct, then this may be an association of people involved in fisheries on lake Parabolos (which was known to be difficult to fish due to its currents). Several leaders of the association are from the same family (sons of Timogenes).

When Hadrian Caesar was official of the sacred (i.e. eponymous official of Byzantion) for the first time, the members of the society (thiasitai) dedicated this to Dionysos Parabolos (“of Parabolos Lake” [?]) on behalf of the gymnasium-director, Potamon Menodotos (relief), an honor on account of his benefaction. This was done when Menios son of Alexandros was priest (hiereus), Timogenes son of Timogenes was treasurer (tamias), Menodotos son of Timogenes was leader (prostatēs; or: patron), Chrysion son of Menios was benefactor, and Potamon son of Potamon was secretary (grammateus).

Translation by: Harland

ἐπὶ ἱερομνάμονος Ἁδ[ριαν]οῦ Καίσαρ̣[ος] | τὸ αʹ οἱ θιασῖται Διονύσῳ Παραβόλωι̣ | ὑπὲρ τοῦ γυμνασιάρχου Ποτάμονος Μηνοδό|του {relief} | τὴν τιμὴν εὐεργεσίας χάριν || ἐπὶ ἱερέος Μηνίου Ἀλεξάνδρ[ου] | καὶ ταμία Τιμογένου Τιμογένου, | προστάτου Μηνοδότου Τιμο|γένου, καὶ εὐεργέτου Χρυσίωνος | Μηνίου, καὶ γραμματέος Ποτάμονο[ς] || Ποτάμονος.

Item added: July 2, 2013
Item modified: September 26, 2020
ID number: 13964
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=13964

Category: 2) Danube and Black Sea areas, a) Thrace, Dedication inscription, Dionysos, f) 2nd century CE

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 Dionysos Parabolos by a Society (117-137 CE) ║ Byzantion - Thrace

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