Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

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

Manumission of Thallousa Involving the Goddess of Ma (173–211 CE) ║ Pantikapaion - Bosporan region


Pantikapaion (Bosporan region, Danube and Black Sea areas — Pleiades map), 173–211 CE
IBosp 74 = SEG 19 (1963), no. 501 = PHI 182789 = AGRW ID# 22503


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Slab of marble (19 x 17 cm). Now in the British Museum. Although no association is expressly involved here, the inscription is included for the light it sheds on other manumissions that involve groups of Judeans. Here the manumitted slave is to engage in service to the deity, presumably in a temple.

During the reign of king Sauromates, friend of Caesar and friend of the Romans, pious, in the . . . xth year during the month of Daeisios, Chrestos, son of Kossous and grandson of Menandros, and his wife, Chemata, priestess (?), have dedicated Thallousa, our house–bred slave who dwells with us (?) to the goddess of Ma (?) and of the Maiden on condition of an obligation to remain (paramonē) in service. But after our life she herself is to be free—(10) by Zeus, Ge (“Earth”), and Helios (“Sun”)—and free of any seizure or injury by me or any heir, and to take … herself (?) …

Translation by: Harland



βασιλεύοντος βασιλέω[ς Σαυ]ǀρομάτου φιλοκαίσαρος καὶ φιλ[ο]ǀρωμαίου, εὐσεβοῦς, ἔτους <․․․ʹ>, μηνὸς ǀ Δαεισίου <․․ʹ>, <θ>εῷ τῆς Μᾶς (?) καὶ Παρ<θ>έǀǀνου Χρηστοῦς Κοσσοῦ Μενάνδρου ǀ καὶ γυνὴ Χημ[άτα ἱ]ερ<ὰν> (ἱ]έρ<ε>ια) ἀνέθηκαν ǀ Θάλλουσαν θ[ρ]επτὴν ἡμῶν ναίαυριǀσαν (ναίουσαν ?) ἐπὶ παραμον[ῆι], μετὰ δὲ τὴν [ζ]ωǀ[ὴ]ν ἡμῶν εἶναι αὐτὴν ἐλευθέǀǀ[ρα]ν ὑπὸ Δία, Γῆν, Ἥλιον, ἀνέπαφη[ν κα]ὶ ǀ [ἀ]νεπηρέαστην ἀπό τ’ ἐμοῦ καὶ παντὸς ǀ κληρο[ν]όμου, τρ[έ]πεσθαι [δ’ αὐτ]ὴν ǀ [—]εξοιοωσι[— — —]λι[—]ι[— — —]

Item added: February 8, 2016
Item modified: February 8, 2016
ID number: 22503
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=22503

Category: 2) Danube and Black Sea areas, c) Bosporan Kingdom, f) 2nd century CE, g) 3rd century CE, Ma, Manumission

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