Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

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

Honors by Dionysiac Cowherds for a Leader (I CE) Pergamon - Mysia and the Troad


Pergamon (Mysia and the Troad, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), I CE
AGRW 115 = GRA 110 = IPergamon 485 = Jaccottet 2003, vol. 2, no. 94 = IPergamonS 1 = PHI 302149 = AGRW ID# 555
Copenhagen Inventory info: 927


bibliography            

Slab of white marble (broken in two) with a large engraved crown at the top (96.5 x 32.5-37.5 cm; letter height 1.2-1.7cm). Herders appear in mythology associated with the god Dionysos and the term “cowherds” is sometimes used within associations as a title for members, as here. Silenos was a mythical figure known as the nurturer or foster father of Dionysos, often portrayed as an old man. In this group at Pergamon, several people played this role as Silenoi (plural). For the building in which a group of Dionysiac cowherds met, see B6 in AGRW and the photo further below. Cf. Ohlemutz 1940, 110-111.

The cowherds (boukoloi) honoured Soter son of Artemidoros, the chief–cowherd (archiboukolos), because of his pious and worthy leadership over the divine mysteries of Dionysos Kathegemon (“Dionysos the Leader”).  The cowherds are: L. Aninius Gallus, Perigenes son of Perigenes, (10) Menodoros son of Asklepiades, Hermaiskos son of Hermaiskos, L. Julius Diokles, Tryphon Koralles son of Tryphon, Diomedes son of Diomedes, Hermaiskos son of Posidonios, Menogenes Minnas son of Asklepiades, Nikomachos son of Nikomachos, Hermogenes son of Agathoboulos, L. Aninius Julianus, (20) C. Julius Rufus who is also called Aphrodeisios, Asklepiades Epineikos son of Zotaios, Agathoboulos son of Hermogenes, Apollonios Publius son of Apollonios, Justus, Apollonios.

The hymn–instructors (hymnodidaskaloi) are: Menophilos Felix son of Herakleides, Asklepiades Paris son of Moschos.

The Silenoi are: (30) Menophantos Polybios son of Menophantos, Thalamos son of Asklepiades, P. Vedius Nason, the chorus–leader.

Translation by: Harland



(crown)

οἱ βουκόλοι ἐτείμησαν | Σωτῆρα Ἀρτεμιδώρου, τὸν | ἀ̣ρχιβούκολον, διὰ τὸ εὐσεβῶς | καὶ ἀξίως τοῦ Καθηγεμόνος || Διονύσου προΐστασθαι τῶν | θείων μυστηρίων. | εἰσὶν δὲ οἱ βουκόλοι· | Λ. Ἀ̣ν̣[ε]ί̣νιος Γάλλος | Περιγέν̣[η]ς̣ Περιγένους || Μηνόδωρος Ἀ̣σκληπιάδου | Ἑρμαΐσκος Ἑρμ̣α̣ΐσκου | Λ. Ἰούλιος Διοκλῆς | Τρύφων Τρύφωνος Κορά̣λλης | Διομήδης Διομήδους || Ἑρμαΐσκος Ποσιδωνίου | Μηνογένης Ἀσκληπιάδου Μιννᾶς | Νικόμαχος Νικομάχου | Ἑρμογένης Ἀγαθοβούλου | Λ. Ἀνείνιος Ἰουλιανός || Γ. Ἰούλιος Ῥοῦφος ὁ καὶ Ἀφροδείσιος | Ἀσκληπιάδης Ζωτα̣[ί]ου Ἐπίνεικος | Ἀγαθόβουλος Ἑρμογέ̣νους | Ἀπολλώνιος Ἀπολλωνίου Πόπλιος | Ἰοῦστος || Ἀπολλώνιος. | ὑμνοδιδάσκαλοι· | Μηνόφιλος Ἡρακλείδου Φῆλιξ | Ἀσκληπιάδης Μόσχου Πάρις. | Σειληνοί· || Μηνόφαντος Μηνοφάντου Πολύβιος | Θάλαμος Ἀσκληπιάδου | Π. Οὐήδιος Νάσων, χορηγός.

IPergamon 485: Facsimile by Fränkel.
Public domain.

Cowherds’ Hall of Benches (Podiensaal) at Pergamon, measuring 10 x 24 metres.
© Philip A. Harland 2012.

Item added: November 20, 2011
Item modified: September 2, 2023
ID number: 555
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=555

Leave a Question, Comment or Correction

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*