DiscussionFragmentary base for Pytheas, high ranking senator and local benefactor. Aphrodisias (Caria). Late fifth century. INSCRIPTIONVerse inscription of two elegiac distichs laid out in 13 lines: ἄστ[υ] θεῆς / Παφίης καὶ / Πυθέου, ἡ μὲν / ὀρ[θῶσ]α stop τὴν / (5) [...]οιαθεη / [... π]όλιν / [...]ον stop / χορσ[...]ννηον / γὰρ ἐπασ[σ]υτέροι/σιν ἐπ' ἔργοις stop / (11) ὄλβου ἀφειδείων / κτίσσεν ἀπαρ/χόμενος leaf 'City of the Paphian goddess and of Pytheas: she, for her part, having exalted [?has given blessings] appropriate to a goddess [to] the city [...?while he] in addition to constant works, unsparing of his wealth, has built [...] as an offering.' (Trans: C. Roueché) Letter H: 4-5 cm. DESCRIPTION Fragmentary tall rectangular base. H: 155, W: 51, D: 44 cm. White marble. Six extant fragments reconstitute about three-quarters of the original base. Two large fragments preserve the full height and proper left side. Significant areas of the proper right, including much of the inscribed front face, are missing. The base was worked on all sides. The back panel has a rougher surface than the front panel. The front panel has a framing moulding (fascia and cyma, H: 10.5 cm) on all edges. The letters are cut irregularly into the front surface. Lines 3 and 8 touch the moulding at the proper left, and line 11 runs into the moulding. PROVENANCE Found in six fragments in the Bouleuterion in the area of the stage. The base presumably shattered after falling from the stage building. HONORAND AND DATE This Pytheas is known from three other inscriptions from Aphrodisias (an acclamation, a building inscription from the Hadrianic Baths, and a building inscription from the Theatre Baths), from a funerary epigram in the Palatine Anthology (AP 7.690), and possibly in conjunction with Asclepiodotus of Alexandria (Damascius Frag. 140, Ath. 96.E.). The epigraphic record provides only vague information about his position beyond that he was a local donor. The Aphrodisian acclamation refers to him as magnificentissimus and illustris which would indicate a high ranking senator of the late fifth to early sixth century. The literary record (Damascius), which refers to Pytheas as a Carian and resident of Aphrodisias in contact with Asclepiodotus, would provide a secure date in the late fifth century. CONTEXT Inside the Bouleuterion only one late antique statue was found (LSA-147). Because it was excavated in fragments in the orchestra and therefore probably also fell from the scaenae frons, it has been associated with this base for Pytheas. Main ReferenceRoueché, C., Aphrodisias in Late Antiquity (Journal of Roman Studies Monograph 5), London 1989, no. 56 |
Last Statues of Antiquity
LSA Database