Kyzikos area [Makestos] (Mysia and the Troad, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), undated
IMT 2538
= PHI 289690
= AGRW ID# 7193
Copenhagen Inventory info: 1006
Base in the form of an altar used as a grave marker (90 tall x 4 cm deep). The term chous has two main meanings: (1) excavated soil or dust (related to the verb χόω, to throw or cover with earth) and (2) liquid measure (equivalent of 12 kotylai). Referring to GIBM IV 1007, Erich Ziebarth took the term in the latter sense and inferred that this was a term referring to drinking, and that this was a short-form for a banqueting association. See Ziebarth, "ΧΟΥΣ," MDAI(A) 30 (1905) 145-146. However, Marshall (in GIBM) reads this differently (see GIBM IV 1007 = IMT 1918 on this site). In the translation below, I favor the forming meaning (a heap of soil, hence the notion of the man being the first to be buried among the members of the group).
This is the grave of Andronikos Onesimos, the initiate (mystēs) of Bromios (“Thunderer”; i.e. Dionysos) of the priests (or: of the sacred things), who was first to be buried (?; chous; possibly: who was leader of the association), who was also the foremost friend of all people in the homeland (three illegible lines). . .
Translation by: Harlandτὸν Βρομίου μύστην | [ἱ]ερῶν, ἄρξαντα χοῦ, | τὸν καὶ ἐν πατρίδι πά[ν]|[τ]ων ὄντα πρῶτον φ[ί]||[λ]ον Ἀνδρωνεῖκ[ον] | [Ὀ]νήσιμον ΚΕΥΘΕΟ̣[— — —] | [- -]ΙΑΚΟΥΝ τεῦξαν Τ[- -]|[- -]ετου Διογέν[— — —]| τόδε σῆμα.
Item added: December 6, 2012
Item modified: October 9, 2020
ID number: 7193
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=7193