IRCyr   Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica

C.285. Dedication to Artemis

Description: Block of limestone, broken above and below (w: 0.50 x h: 0.63 x d: 0.27).
Text: Inscribed on one face.
Letters: Second century CE, under the influence of rustic forms; 0.03-0.035; lunate sigma, cursive omega.

Date: Second century CE

Findspot: Cyrene: Found in 1916 in the Temple of Artemis.
Original location: Unknown.
Last recorded location: Temple of Artemis: standing on the south wall of the cella.

Interpretive

( vac. 3) θεᾶι Ἀρτάμιδι
ἐπὶ ἱαρέοϲ Τ(ίτω) Φλαβίω Ἱππία
( vac. 5) Μελίοροϲ ( vac. 5)
Βεττιήνα Ἀπωνία
5Π(οπλίω) Βεττιήνω Καρνεάδα
θ̣υγάτηρ ἱαρειτεύοιϲα
( vac. 6) τά κρύφια ( vac. 3)
( vac. 6) ἀργυρᾶ ( vac. 4)

Diplomatic

      ΘΕΑΙΑΡΤΑΜΙΔΙ
ΕΠΙΙΑΡΕΟϹΤΦΛΑΒΙΩΙΠΠΙΑ
          ΜΕΛΙΟΡΟϹ          
ΒΕΤΤΙΗΝΑΑΠΩΝΙΑ
5ΠΒΕΤΤΙΗΝΩΚΑΡΝΕΑΔΑ
.ΥΓΑΤΗΡΙΑΡΕΙΤΕΥΟΙϹΑ
            ΤΑΚΡΥΦΙΑ      
            ΑΡΓΥΡΑ        

Italian translation

Translation source: Vitali, 1932

Alla dea Artemide, sotto il sacerdozio di T. Flavio Hippia Melior, Vettiena Aponia, figlia di P. Vettieno Cameade, sacerdotessa, donò vasi di argento.

English translation

Translation by: Charlotte Roueché

For the Goddess Artemis. In the priesthood of T(itos) Phlabios (i.e. T(itus) Flavius) Hippias Melior. Bettiena Aponia, daughter of P(oplios) Bettienos (i.e. P(ublius) Vettienus) Karneadas, serving as priestess, gave the secret vessels, in silver.

Commentary

Line 7: κρύφιος, 'secret', is used to describe vessels used in ceremonies which are not open to all; the adjectiveis also used of initiates into mystery cults.

Bibliography: Oliverio, 1916, 184, fig 4; whence SEG 9.115, PHI 323969, Ferri, 1923 6, Vitali, 1932 117
Text constituted from: Transcription (Reynolds).

Images

None available (2020).