IGI3 1353 Funerary monument of Pythion of Megara

Funerary monument of Pythion of Megara

IG I³ 1353 Date: 446-ca. 425 BC

This is the memorial lying on the tomb of an excellent (aristo) man, Pythion from Megara, having slain (daiōsas) seven men and broken off seven spears in their bodies, he chose excellence (aretan), bringing renown (eukleizōn) to his father among the People. This man, who saved three tribes (5) of Athenians, bringing them from Pegai through Boeotia to Athens, having brought renown (eukleise) to Andokides with two thousand captives or slaves? (andrapodoisin).^[1] Having harmed (pēmanas) no man (anthrōpōn) on earth (epichthoniōn), he went down to Hades deemed blessed (makaristos) for all to see. These are the tribes: Pandionis^III, Kekropis^VII, Antiochis^X.

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References:

IG I³ 1353 (Translated text) (PHI) (IG Online)

Peek, GVI, no. 630

ML 51

CEG 1, no. 83

Clairmont, Patrios Nomos, no. 32a

Fornara, Translated documents 101

Ginestí Rosell no. 45

OR 130

Translation by: Stephen Lambert, P. J. Rhodes

Images: Ohio - (1)

Monument type: Stele

Inscription type: Funerary

Fragment a - Findspot: Athens (Among graves near Acharnian gate) (EM 8887)
Fragment b (formerly Ag. I 2057) - Findspot: Agora (EM 13357)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This exploit perhaps belongs in the context of Megara's revolt from Athens in 446 BC (Thuc. 1.114.1-2), in response to which Athens sent an expedition against Megara, defeated the Megarians in a battle and drove them back into their city (Diod. 12.5.2). If so, the expedition will have consisted of the force of three tribal regiments, led by Andokides, referred to here. Pegai was Megara's harbour on the gulf of Corinth, which had been controlled by Athens since Megara became an Athenian ally in ca. 461 (Thuc. 1.103.4). It seems Pythion would have guided the Athenians by a roundabout and awkward route from Pegai back to Athens via Aigosthena and Kreusis in order to avoid a force of invading Peloponnesians under the Spartan king, Pleistoanax, which, however, withdrew after advancing no further than Eleusis and Thria (Thuc. 1.114.1-2). Andokides, grandfather of the orator of the same name, was involved, not long after these events, in making the 30-years Peace between Athens and Sparta (FGH 323a Hellanikos F24, Andok. 3.6, Aischin. 2.174, 446/5 BC) and was also to be a general in Athens' war against Samos in 440-439 (FGH 324 Androtion F38). The monument does not perhaps post-date 446 by very long, though private funerary monuments are rare in Attica before ca. 430. The emphasis on an aristocratic ideal of military excellence or virtue (aretē) is notable, and is reflected in the use of poetic vocabulary with a Homeric flavour.

Added: 20 Jan 2016
Updated: 28 Mar 2024
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