IGI3 521 bis Dedication of a spear butt

Dedication of a spear butt

IG I³ 521 bis Date: 427 BC

The Athenians (dedicated this, having taken it)^[1] from the Lesbians,^[2] to the Dioskouroi.^[3]

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References:

IG I³ 521 bis (Translated text) (IG Online) (PHI)

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Images: Agora Excavations - (1)

Monument type: Spear-butt

Inscription type: Dedication (Athenians)

Original location: Agora

Findspot: Agora (cistern to the northwest of the Agora) (Ag. B 1373)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] The inscription is on a bronze spear butt, called a ‘lizarder’ (sauroter) in Greek. This is the spike at the opposite end of the shaft from the point of the spear, used to lodge the spear firmly in the ground and as an ancillary weapon. On "unconverted" dedications of this type see IG I³ 517 with notes. For other dedications of spear butts see IG I³ 521. [2] This butt was originally dedicated as a prize of war after an Athenian victory in Lesbos. The most likely candidate is the suppression of the revolt of Mytilene in 428/7 BC (Thucydides 3.2-6, 18-19, 27-28, 35-50; Diodoros 12.55), because the inscription is in the Old Attic alphabet (pre-403 BC) and the butt has close stylistic parallels with early and mid-fifth century dedications of spear butts in Arkadia (Richter, AJA 43, 1939, 194-201) and Olympia (IvO 254-56). The suppression of the smaller revolt of 412 (Thucydides 8.23-24) is also a possible context (cf. Camp, Hesperia 47, 1978, 192-95). [3] Usually the Dioskouroi are called the Anakes (“Lords”) in Athenian inscriptions. Presumably, the spear butt was originally kept at the Anakeion, the sanctuary of the Dioskouroi to the southeast of the Agora. Before the mid-fourth century BC it was dumped into a cistern in the northwest of the agora along with a number of lead tablets and sealings associated with the commanders of the cavalry. The association is difficult to explain, if not simply an accident of deposition, because the cavalry are not attested as being involved in the revolt of Mytilene.

Added: 13 Mar 2018
Updated: 9 Jul 2021
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ID: AIO_1429