SEG 46.153 Decree of Halai Araphenides honouring <i>choregoi</i>, 341/0 BC

Decree of Halai Araphenides honouring choregoi, 341/0 BC

SEG 46.153 Date: 341/0 BC

Gods. In the archonship of Nikomachos (341/0), in the demarchy of Phormos, the Halaians decided; Philokles son of Philokedes 5 proposed: since the sponsors sponsored choruses well and with love of honour, Antimachos son of Archemachos, Soinautes son of Nausistratides, to praise them and crown 10 each of them with a foliage crown, and they shall have a seat of honour in the competitions and the demarch in office shall invite them to their seat of honour; 15 and the demarch shall inscribe this decree on a stone stele and stand it in the Dionysion. Soinautes Antimachos^[1]

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References:

SEG 46.153 (Translated text) (PHI)

Csapo and Wilson II, 127-9

Russo, Ripartizioni, D52

Translation by: Stephen Lambert

Monument type: Stele

Inscription type: Decree (Deme Halai Araphenides)

Original location: Dionysion (Halai Araphenides)

Findspot: Loutsa (= Halai Araphenides), ca. 500 m. west of temple of Artemis (Brauron Museum BE 2925)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] Halai Araphenides was a medium-sized deme of the tribe Aigeis (bouleutic quota 5, IG II³ 4, 76, 49-53, IG II³ 4, 75, 8-13, [Agora XV 42], 64-9) located at about the mid-point of the east coast of Attica, in the area of Loutsa, between the small demes of Philaidai to the south and Araphen to the north. It is conventionally named "Halai Araphenides", to distinguish it from the other deme Halai, "Aixonides", on the west coast of Attica (cf. RO 46), though these designations do not feature in the epigraphical record and no subordination to Araphen (or Aixone) is implied. It was best known for its sanctuary and festival of Artemis Tauropolos, which according to Euripides IT 1447-61, was established by Orestes on Athena's command, and which featured an all-night revel (pannychis) for young women (Menander, Epit. 470-519). For recent discussions of the deme see K. Kalogeropoulos, Το ιερό της Ἀρτέμιδος Ταυροπόλου στις Αλές Αραφηνίδες (Λούτσα), 2013; Humphreys, Kinship, 880-83; Csapo and Wilson II, 127-32. On demes in general see RO 46, with notes. This decree, first published by V. Bardani, Horos 10-12, 1992-1998, 53-60 (SEG 46.153), and set up in the Dionysion, is clear evidence for the cult of Dionysos in the deme. Two other deme decrees are extant, both from the sanctuary of Artemis: SEG 34.103, of 334/3-314/3 BC, honouring a deme liturgist; SEG 55.252, of ca. 350-300 BC, honouring two non-members of the deme. A relief depicting Artemis and Dionysos, and five theatrical masks, IG II³ 4, 1084, perhaps also derives from the Dionysion of Halai. One of the two Halai demes lent money on the security of a house, IG II² 2761.

From this decree it is apparent that the Rural Dionysia was celebrated at Halai Araphenides, cf. IG II³ 4, 498. In common with other demes, it seems that two choregoi carried the whole cost of the festival, rather than competing with each other as sponsors of specific plays, as at the City Dionysia. Compare, for example, the arrangements in Ikarion, IG I³ 254 (two choregoi) and Thorikos, SEG 34.107 and SEG 40.128 (three choregoi). No theatre is directly attested at Halai, epigraphically or archaeologically, but this decree most likely implies one (note the award of proedria, and erection of the decree in the Dionysion, which was perhaps adjacent to the theatre, as at Ikarion, IG I³ 1015, with notes. Csapo and Wilson note remains in Halai Araphenides possibly consistent with the Dionysion). Neither the demarch, Phormos, nor the proposer, Philokles son of Philokedes, are otherwise known; nor is either of the choregoi otherwise attested in person, but Antimachos' likely brother, Kallimedes son of Archemachos, dedicated as member of the Council prytany of Aigeis in the same year as this decree was passed, IG II³ 4, 76, l. 53; and Soinautes son of Nausistratides has strikingly nautical nomenclature singularly appropriate for the member of a coastal deme (though the name Soinautes is also found in non-coastal demes, cf. Athenian Onomasticon).

Added: 12 Dec 2022
Updated: 22 Oct 2024
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