Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

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

Order for a Vow to Zeus and Men by a Sacred Association (doumos) (171 CE) Saittai area [Maionia] - Lydia


Saittai area [Maionia] (Lydia, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), 171/172 CE
TAM V 536 = CMRDM II 53 = ILydiaHoz 39.67 = PHI 263960 = AGRW ID# 1204
Copenhagen Inventory info: 306


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Slab of marble with a relief depicting the busts of two gods, one in front of a sun (perhaps Men Tiamou) and the other in front of a crescent moon (perhaps Men Tyrranos) (see drawings below). The meaning of the epithet Masphalatenos is not known. The vow that is ordered in the present inscription is apparently completed (nine days later) in TAM V 537; however, the terminology used of the group is different.

According to the command of the gods, the sacred doumos–association orders that a vow to Zeus Masphalatenos, Men Tiamou, and Men Tyrannos (“the Ruler”) be observed after nine days.  But if anyone does not obey, he will certainly know the power of Zeus.  (10) Dionysios son of Diodoros and Hermogenes son of Valerius were supervising.  Year 256 of the Sullan era, month of Dystros.

Translation by: Harland



κατὰ τὴν τῶν θεῶν ἐπιταǀγὴν ἱερὸς δοῦμος εὐχὴν ǀ Διὶ Μασφαλατηνῷ καὶ Μηνὶ ǀ Τιαμου καὶ Μηνὶ Τυράννῳ ǀǀ ἐκέλευσεν τηρεῖσθαι ἀǀπὸ ἡμερῶν θʹ· εἴ τις δὲ τούǀτων ἀπειθήσι, ἀναγνώσǀετ̣αι τὰς δυνάμις τοῦ Διǀός· ἐπιμελησαμένου ǀǀ Διονυσίου Διοδώρου ǀ καὶ Ἑρμογένους Βαλερίου. ǀ ἔτους σνϛʹ, μη(νὸς) Δύστρου.

TAM V 536: Monument with a relief of two gods, likely Men Tiamou and Men Tyrannos.
Drawing from Salomon Reinach and Philippe Le Bas, Voyage archéologique en Grèce et en Asie Mineure (Paris: Firmin-Didot et Cie, 1888), plate 136 I.
Public domain.

TAM V 536: Keppel’s drawing, incorrectly depicting the second figure as a woman. Drawing from George Keppel, Narrative of a Journey Across the Balcan (London, 1831) 2:351.
Public domain.

 

Item added: December 3, 2011
Item modified: October 9, 2020
ID number: 1204
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=1204

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