Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

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

Mosaic Floor Laid for a Bacchic Association or Building (193-211 CE) ║ Smyrna - Ionia


Smyrna (Ionia, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), 193-211 CE
ISmyrna 733 = Georg Rohde, "Neue Inschriftenfunde (I)," Türk Tarih: Arkeologya ve Etnografya Dergisi 4 (1940) 65–79, at 67-71 (no. 3) = SEG 15, no. 727 = PHI 254949 = AGRW ID# 10503
Copenhagen Inventory info: 1212


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Mosaic inscription (18.5 x 5.93 metres for entire mosaic; the area of the inscription is 65 x 59 cm). "Baccheion" was a term that was used both for a "Bacchic association" and for "Bacchic meeting-place" (cf. AGRW 7, 64, 78, 264, 265; IEph 434). Here it is not clear whether the term is used of a group or a building.

Tiberius Julius Septimius Julianus, Smyrnian, member of the Council like his ancestors, victor in all the contests, head of athletics (xystarchēs), and owner of the property inherited from his ancestors, had the mosaic floor made for the Baccheion.

Translation by: Harland



Τι(βέριος) Ἰού(λιος) Σεπτίμιος Ἰουλιανὸς Σμυρ|ναῖος, ἐγ προγόνων βουλευτής, περ|ιοδονείκης, ξυσστάρχης, δεσπότης | ἀπὸ προγόνων τοῦ κτήματος, τὴν || ψηφοθεσίαν τῷ Βαχχείῳ ἐποησάμην.

ISmyrna 733: Photo of Baccheion mosaic from Rohde 1940, 70.
Public domain.

Item added: February 8, 2013
Item modified: November 6, 2020
ID number: 10503
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=10503

Category: 3) Asia Minor, Building dedication or inscription, Dionysos, f) 2nd century CE, f) Ionia, g) 3rd century CE, i) Images of monuments or buildings, Mosaic

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