Honors by Performers of Aphrodite for Proconsul Caninus and for Sopater (46-42 BCE)

Syracuse (Sicily, Italy — Pleiades map), 46-42 BCE
A. Dimartino, "Venus Felix a Siracusa? Per una rilettura dei decreti della Synodos di technitai di Afrodite Hilara," Epigraphica 72 (2010) 21-49 = Andreas Fountoulakis, "The Artists of Aphrodite," L’antiquité Classique 69 (2000) 133-147 = Sophia Aneziri, "A Different Guild of Artists: τὸ κοινὸν τῶν περὶ τὴν Ἰλαρὰν Ἀφροδίτην τεχνιτῶν," Αρχαιογνωσία 11 (2002) 47-55 = SEG 60 (2010), no. 1015-1016 = AGRW ID# 24299
Copenhagen Inventory info: 39

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Two slabs of limestone. Now in the Archaeological Museum of Syracuse. The honorand of the first decree was a proconsul of Sicily. Aneziri (2002) argues that Aphrodite's epithet here (Hilara) may indicate that these performers engaged in tragic-comedy (ἱλαροτραγωδία). Both Aneziri and Fountoulakis suggest that the group likely included mimes and pantomimes (cf. SEG 50 (2000), no. 1025). Dimartino instead suggests that Hilara is an epithet meaning "well disposed" or "felicitous," arguing that Aphrodite Hilara may be the equivalent of Venus Felix (see SEG 60 [2010], 1015-1016).

(Decree 1)

For the sake of friendliness to foreign guests and (?) . . . benefaction . . . (?) this was set up (?) . . . for Marcus Acilius Caninus son of Marcus, proconsul of the Romans. When the priests were . . . Name son of Aristodemos and . . . Name son of Maron, the leaders (archontes) introduced the following: . . . Since Marcus (?) . . . Acilius Caninus son of Marcus, proconsul of the Romans, happens to have . . . piety (?) towards the gods . . . of the city and (?) . . . towards our . . . synod (synodos) in a friendly manner, it was resolved that (?) . . . he be a foreign guest and benefactor of the performers (technitai) gathered around Aphrodite Hilara. The leaders are to inscribe . . . this decree on a (?) . . . slab (stele) and to set it up . . . in the (?) . . . in order that, through everything, . . . it may be evident that the synod distributes (?) . . . worthy . . . favours to those who deliberately choose to be its benefactors (?). To good fortune (?) . . .

(Decree 2)

. . . For the sake of (?) . . . friendliness to foreign guests . . . this was set up (?) for Name . . . Atilius Sarranus Sopater. . . son of Name. When the priests were Name (?) . . . son of Apollonios (?) and . . . Arrius son of Aulus, the leaders (archontes) introduced the following: . . . Since Name (?) . . . Atilius Sarranus Sopater. . . son of Name (?), being well-disposed . . . towards our synod (?) . . ., has not been intermittent in being a benefactor of the synod at an important time, taking care of the synod both as a group . . . and as individual members, it was resolved (?). . . that he be a foreign guest . . . and benefactor of the (?) . . . performers gathered around Aphrodite Hilara. To good fortune.

Translation by: Harland

Item added: March 2, 2017
Item modified: June 1, 2021
ID number: 24299
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=24299

Category: a) All Italian regions, Aphrodite, d) 1st century BCE, Dionysos, Festivals, h) Groups of performers, athletes, or gladiators, Honorary inscription, Royal or Imperial official or king / emperor, Singing and music

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 Performers of Aphrodite for Proconsul Caninus and for Sopater (46-42 BCE) ║ Syracuse - Sicily

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