Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

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

Donations by Damylas and Tryphaina (?) for Dionysiac Initiates (undated) Stratonikeia - Caria


Stratonikeia (Caria, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), undated
IStratonikeia 672 = PHI 260308 = AGRW ID# 12770


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Fragment of a base or altar (63 x 36 cm). The identification of the donors as Myonides Damylas and Tryphaina Drakontis, which is likely, is based on IStratonikeia 249 and 255-257. For the family tree, see IStratonikeia 249-252. The initiates in this inscription were evidently led by these two sons (here called those devoted to Iacchos), who were from a very prominent family. For more on these Dionysiac mysteries, which may have been officially sponsored by the city, see IStratonikeia 527 (from a generation earlier). Whether this group of initiates could be considered an unofficial association is, therefore, questionable.

. . . During the ten days of the Panamarian celebrations (?). . . we distributed grape-vine ointment (?) to the citizens and the best of the aged wine according to . . .; we sent over jars to the fellow-youths (synephēbai); we gave two drachmas to each of the women and the men present in the temple of Hera; we freely provided sacred banquets for those engaging in sacrifices; we paid for the performers who attended; we honored with gifts those in need; after holding the civic presidency, we reduced the price of wheat and oil in a very difficult period; along with our sons, the Iakchiasts (i.e. those devoted to the ritual cry “Iacchos” or its personification), Damylas and Demetrios in succession, we made distributions to the initiates (mystai) and the majority of the citizens; in this priestly service, we have served as heads of the gymnasium . . .

Translation by: Harland



[τὰς δέκα ἡμέρας τῶν Παναμαρεί]|ων ἐθήκαμεν το[ῖς πολείται]|ς ἐπάλιμμα οἰνάνθην, [καὶ] | πρῶτοι παλαιοῦ οἴνου κατὰ [—] | συνεφηβίαις διεπένψαμεν̣ [κε]||ράμια, καί τε Ἡραίῳ πάσ[αις] | γυναιξὶ καὶ τοῖς γενομ[έ]|νοις ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ ἀνδράσιν ἐ[δώ]|καμεν ἀνὰ 𐆖 {denarius symbol} βʹ, καὶ τὰ δεῖπν̣α̣ | ἐχαρισάμεθα καὶ τοῖς θύο[υ]||σιν τὰ ἱερά, καὶ τὰ ἐπιδημήσαν|τα ἀκροάματα ἐμισθωσάμε|θα, καὶ τοὺς δεομένους ἐτει[μή]|σαμεν, καὶ μετὰ πρυτανίαν ἐν [δυσ]|φόρῳ καιρῷ παράτειμα καὶ σείτο[υ] || καὶ ἐλαίου παρισηνένκ<α>μεν μεγά|λα, καὶ μετὰ Ἰακχιαστῶν ὑῶν [Δα]|μύλα καὶ Δημητρίου ἐν μέ̣[ρει] | μύσταις καὶ τοῖς πλίστοις τῶν π̣[ολι]|τῶν τὰς διανομὰς ἐδώκαμεν || ἐν τῇ ἱερωσύνῃ ταύτῃ γυμνα|[σιαρχήσαντες —]

Item added: May 28, 2013
Item modified: December 10, 2015
ID number: 12770
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=12770

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