IEleus 482 Altar of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus

Altar of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus

I Eleusis 482 Date: ca. 162 AD

On behalf of the health and victory and [endurance] of the Emperors M(arcus) Aurelius Antoninus (5) and Lucius Verus Augusti, the priest of [Triptolemos] and cavalry commander (hipparchos) … Aelius Ch[.]s- of – . . . (10) . . . ^[1]

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References:

I Eleusis 482 (Translated text) (PHI)

IG II² 3404 (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Monument type: Altar

Inscription type: Dedication (emperor)

fr. a - Findspot: Eleusis (Eleusis Museum E 586)
fr. b - Findspot: Eleusis (Lost)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This round altar was erected during the co-regency of Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus (161-169 AD). It is probably associated with Verus’ visit to Athens in 162 AD, which included a visit to Eleusis, where this base was found, to be initiated into the Mysteries. For other altars dedicated to the pair, see Agora XVIII 315 with notes. The priest of Triptolemos and cavalry commander, whose name cannot be restored, was the dedicator. For the priest of Triptolemos, see K. Clinton, Sacred Officials of the Eleusinian Mysteries, 1972, p. 97. Imperial-period Athens did not have a cavalry force and the position of cavalry commander (hipparchos) is otherwise last attested there in the 1st century BC, so the dedicator perhaps held a Roman position like cavalry prefect (praefectus equitum, cf. Clinton in I Eleusis II, p. 361).

Added: 6 Mar 2026
Updated: 6 Mar 2026
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