IEleus 515 Statue base for the hierophant who saved the sacred objects of the Mysteries

Statue base for the hierophant who saved the sacred objects of the Mysteries

I Eleusis 515 Date: 191/2 AD or shortly after

You gaze upon this high-shining monument (mnēma)^[1] of Deo’s companion (hetaroio)^[2] who in wisdom gained infinite glory (kudos). He displayed the ceremonies (teletas) and the all-night rites (orgia pannucha) to the initiates (mustais), pouring forth the charming voice of Eumolpos,^[3] (5) and he did not flee from the onslaught of the hostile, but saved^[4] undefiled the secret objects (arrhētōn) for the Kekropidai.^[5] Ah, blessed is he, whom the People have crowned,^[6] honouring (gerairōn) him. . . .

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References:

I Eleusis 515 (Translated text) (PHI)

IG II² 3639 (PHI)

Translation by: Feyo Schuddeboom

Monument type: Base

Inscription type: Funerary

Findspot: Eleusis (Outside the sanctuary, along the Sacred Way) (Auberge d'Italie in courtyard)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] The funerary monument of the hierophant, perhaps C. Iulius Casianus Apollonios of Steiria [= Byrne, Roman Citizens, Iulius 66] (Clinton, cf. Clinton, Sacred Officials 38-39 no. 25). [2] Clinton, I Eleusis, points out that this appellation for the hierophant "suggests of course a particular closeness to the goddess, with the implication, in this Eleusinian context, that the goddess is looking after him in death as constantly as he served her in life." [3] Forefather of the Eumolpidai, the genos who supplied the hierophant. [4] From the onslaught of the Costobocs, who invaded Attica in 170 AD and occupied Eleusis; cf. I Eleusis 494 and 516. [5] Sons of Kekrops (mythical king of Athens); hence a poetic name for the Athenians. [6] Cf. I Eleusis 494.

Added: 12 Sep 2015
Updated: 19 Aug 2024
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