ChoixDelphes 263 Statue base for Polydeukion at Delphi

Statue base for Polydeukion at Delphi

Choix de Delphes 263 Date: ca. 157/8 AD

[Tiberius Claudius Atticus] [Herodes of Athens],^[1] by decision (dogma) of the Am[phiktyons]^[2] (dedicated this statue of) Vibullus [Polydeukion] (5)his own [ward (trophimon)?]

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References:

Choix de Delphes 263 (Translated text) (AIO)

SEG 22.477

Syll.³ 859B

F.Delphes III 3 73 (PHI)

Ameling, Herodes Atticus II 110

Translation by: Hannes Freitag

Monument type: Base

Inscription type: Statue base (private)

Original location: Delphi

Findspot: Delphi, near the south-west corner of the Polygonal Wall (Delphi Museum 653)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] Textual note: The text follows Choix de Delphes 263 which in turn follows J. Bousquet, BCH 88, 1964, 392-94 (= SEG 22.477), as did Ameling, reconstructing l. 5 based on I Rhamnous 159, ll. 8-9, 11-12, and IG II² 3976. Daux and Salač in F. Delphes III.3 73 proposed τὸν ἑαυτῶ[ν εὐεργέτην] (“their own [benefactor]”). Another possibility might be τὸν ἑαυτο[ῦ ἥρωα] (“his own [hero]”), cf. Choix de Delphes 264, ll. 6-7 [HF].

This statue base was set up by Herodes Atticus for Vibullius Polydeukion, his favourite ward (trophimos), in the sanctuary of Apollo Pythios at Delphi, following his early death, ca. 160 AD (on Polydeukion and Herodes Atticus, see AIUK 11 (Ashmolean) no. 15 with notes and, on Attic inscriptions at Delphi, see IG II³ 4, 17 with notes). It is inscribed on a grey limestone base which is broken at top and right. It is one of several statue bases connected with Herodes Atticus at Delphi. The findspot may indicate that the base was originally located not far from the family monument near the Athenian Treasury (see Choix de Delphes 257 with notes). That it was a separate monument is indicated by the different authorising authorities (the Amphiktyons rather than Delphi), the form, larger size, and larger letter heights of this base (32-34 mm rather than 18-22 mm), cf. J. Bousquet, BCH 88, 1964, 392-94.

The Delphians dedicated another statue of Polydeukion (Choix de Delphes 264), as “the hero of Herodes” on account of his moderation (sophrosyne), which was found in the Roman Agora of Delphi reused for a statue of Emperor Constans (337-350 AD, Choix de Delphes 275). [2] The word dogma (“decision”) is usually reserved at Delphi for decisions of the Amphictyony, a council of delegates from various Greek city-states which managed the Pythian Games and other aspects of the sanctuary at Delphi.

Added: 6 Mar 2026
Updated: 6 Mar 2026
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ID: AIO_3641