Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

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

Honorary Decree for a Functionary in Dionysiac Mysteries (undated) Stratonikeia area [Lagina] - Caria


Stratonikeia area [Lagina] (Caria, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), undated
IStratonikeia 527 = Georges Cousin and Charles Diehl, "Inscriptions de Lagina," BCH 11 (1887) 145–63, at 147-148 (no. 48) = PHI 260419 = AGRW ID# 13070


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Monument of white marble broken in two. Another monument involving the same family (dating one generation later) mentions the association of initiates headed by the brothers (Damylas and Demetrios, likely sons of the Myonides Damylas in the present inscription) who were labelled Iakchiasts (i.e. those devoted to the ritual cry “Iacchos” or its personification). It is difficult to assess whether and to what degree this group of initiates was financially sponsored by the city (in other words, whether this should be called a civic cult or an association).

The People and the Council honored through decrees,. . . statues, and gold crowns (?) . . . Herakleitos Eudemos Demetrios, son of Apollonidas and grandson of Demetrios,. . . of Hierokometes subdivision, the priest for life (?) of the Council, and his wife Tatarion Polynike, daughter of Myonides, also called Apphia Loboldida, priestess for life of Artemis in Panamara and of the gods which were consecrated with her.  In keeping with a promise, both have served in the priesthood of the greatest and most magnificent goddess Hekate in a pious and glory-loving manner throughout the whole year.  With others, they have provided three drachmas to each of the citizens during the kinship celebrations (genethlia; or: birthday celebrations) and two (?) drachmas to the Romans and to most of the foreigners (xenoi) and aliens (paroikoi ?).  They have continually provided oil in small vessels and ointment for every rank and age and they have distributed gifts (?) . . . , doing everything well and with love of glory through the whole year and providing . . . the victims (?) . . . for those engaging in sacrifice.  . . . Furthermore, they honored . . . their sons Apollonidas son of Demetrios, who is also called Hermias, and Myonides Damalas son of Demetrios, who is also called Menekles (?), from Hierokometes subdivision, who performed the Iacchic rites in all the mysteries (mystēria) of Dionysos in a good and glory-loving manner and accomplished . . . the People and the . . . Council. . .

Translation by: Harland



ὁ δῆμος καὶ ἡ βουλὴ ἐ[τεί]μησαν κα[ὶ] διὰ ψηφισ[μάτων καὶ ἀγάλμασι? καὶ χρυσοῖς στεφάν]ο̣ι̣ς̣ Ἡ̣[ράκλειτον] | Ἀπολλωνίδου τοῦ Δημητρίου Εὔδημον Δη̣[μήτ]ρ̣ι̣ο[ν Ἱε(ροκωμήτην) ἱερέα διὰ βίου] τ̣ῆς βο[υλῆ]ς̣ καὶ τ̣[ὴν] | γυναῖκα αὐτοῦ Τατάριον Μυωνίδου Πολυνίκην [τ]ὴν καὶ Ἀ[πφ]ίαν Λ̣ο̣(βολδίδα) ἱ̣έ̣ρ̣ι̣α̣ν̣ δ̣ιὰ βίου τ̣ῆ̣ς̣ ἐ̣[ν] Π̣α̣ν̣α̣μ̣[άροις] | Ἀρτέμιδος καὶ τῶν συνκαθιδρυμένων αὐτῇ θ[ε]ῶ̣ν, ἱερ[α]τεύσαντ̣α̣ς̣ [δ]ὲ τῆς μεγίστη[ς] || καὶ ἐπιφανεστάτης θεᾶς Ἑκάτης ἐξ ἐπανγελ[ίας εὐ-] σ̣ε̣[β]ῶ̣ς̣ καὶ φιλοδόξως παρ’ ὅλον τὸν ἐνι[αυτὸν] | καὶ μετὰ τῶν ἄλλων ἐν τοῖς γενεθλίο[ις δ]ό̣ν̣τ̣ας ἑκ̣άστῳ τῶν πολειτῶν ἀνὰ̣ [δραχμὰς] | τρῖς καὶ Ῥωμέοις καὶ ξένοις πλείστοις καὶ [παροίκ]ο̣ι̣ς̣? [δ]ί̣ς̣?, θ̣έντ̣ας δὲ καὶ ἔλεον δρ[ακτοῖς] | καὶ ἐπαλίμματα πάσῃ τύχῃ καὶ ἡλικίᾳ ἀ[διαλ]ε̣ί[πτως,] π̣οι̣ησα̣μ̣ένο̣υ̣ς δὲ κα̣[ὶ ἀποστολὰς?] | [— πάντα ποιήσα]ντα[ς κ]αλῶς καὶ [φιλοδόξως] || [δι’ ὅλου τοῦ ἔτους, χαρισαμ]ένους δὲ καὶ τοῖ̣ς̣ θ̣υουσ[ιν τὰ ἱερά·] | [ἐτείμησαν δὲ καὶ τοὺς] υἱοὺς αὐτῶν Ἀπολωνίδ[ην Δημητρί]|[ου τὸν καὶ Ἑρμίαν καὶ Μυωνίδ]ην Δημητρίου Δαμύλαν τ[ὸν καὶ Μενε]|κλέα? <Ἱ>εροκωμήτας, ἰαχο[ῦντας ἐν πᾶσιν] | τοῖς τοῦ Διονύσου μυστ[ηρίοις καλῶς] || καὶ φιλοδόξως, ἐπιτελέσ[αντας δὲ —] | τον τ[․․ το]ῦ δήμου καὶ τ[ῆς βουλῆς —]

IStratonikeia 527: Facsimile from Cousin and Diehl.
Public domain.

Item added: May 29, 2013
Item modified: December 10, 2015
ID number: 13070
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=13070

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