AIUK5 no. 2 Funerary stele for Melisto and Epigenes

Funerary stele for Melisto and Epigenes

AIUK 5 (Lyme Park) no. 2 Date: ca. mid-4th cent. BC

Melisto daughter of Hegestratos of Oion. Epigenes son of Mikrion of Eleusis.^[1]

Relief

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Greek text

References:

AIUK 5 (Lyme Park) no. 2 (Translated text) (AIO) (AIUK)

IG II² 6999 (PHI)

Clairmont, CAT 3.369c

Translation by: Peter Liddel, Polly Low

AIO Images: 1 2

Monument type: Stele

Inscription type: Funerary

Findspot: Athens (?) (Lyme Park NT 500255.2)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This funerary monument ("stele") for a husband and wife named Melisto and Epigenes was obtained by Thomas Legh in Athens in 1811-1812 and set in its present location above the fireplace of the library of Lyme Park in the context of the refurbishment of the House carried out under Legh's direction from 1814. The stele depicts a seated Melisto shaking hands with Epigenes, expressing the strong bond between them. This gesture, known as dexiosis, is common on Athenian funerary monuments, as is the similarly intimate gesture of unveiling (anakalypsis) which Melisto is making towards her husband. The figure in the background, probably representing an (unnamed) domestic slave, holds Melisto's jewellery box. Overall the monument seems designed to project an impression of affluence. The inscription names Epigenes' father and his deme (Eleusis, in north-west Attica), and also Melisto's father and his deme (Oion). This information confirms the citizen status of the couple. We know from speeches delivered in court that monuments like this could be cited as evidence in cases of disputed inheritance. The stele can be dated by the style of its sculpture and lettering to ca. 350 BC. It has sometimes been thought that Epigenes was also commemorated by the uninscribed sculpture depicting a seated man and comic masks in the Library alcove at Lyme Park, but the two monuments are probably unconnected. For a fuller discussion of this monument see AIUK 5 (Lyme Park), no. 2. For more information about private Attic funerary monuments, see AIUK 3 (Cambridge), section 3, with video.

Added: 1 Jul 2019
Updated: 14 Mar 2020
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ID: AIO_1841