Relief with Wreath and Inscription

Acropolis Museum, Athens, Greece

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Title: Relief with Wreath and Inscription
Inventory Number: ΕΜ 8123
Artist: Attic workshop
Category: Inscription
Period: Roman Period
Date: End of 1st century AD
Dimensions:
Height: 0.32 m
Length: 0.25 m
Width: 0.05 m

Material: Marble from Penteli
Location: Gallery of the Acropolis Slopes

Dedicatory inscribed plaque found in 1897 in the Sanctuary of Apollo Hypoakraios.

The square plaque is divided into three vertical sections resembling a plate with handles (tabula ansata). The centre occupies a myrtle wreath with sparse leaves and stems that bear fruits. The wreath branches are tied in a Herakles knot at the top and intertwine at the bottom. The plaque’s sides are carefully worked. On the roughly chiseled back a drill has been opened through so that the plaque would be attached on a surface with a nail.

Within the myrtle circlet is inscribed ΤΙΒ ΑΝΤΙΣΤΙΟΣ ΚΙΝΕΑΣ ΕΚ ΚΟΙΛΗΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙ ΥΠΑΚΡΑΙΣ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ, that is “Tiverios Antistius Kineas from the municipality of Koile, (dedicated) to Apollo Hyppoakraios as the Archon Basileus”. According to the text, the official was from the municipality of Koile, a region between the Pnyx and the Hill of the Muses.

In the cave of Apollo Hyppoakraios and its vicinity about seventy similar plaques have been retrieved. These plaques are a typical category of dedicatory inscriptions of the Roman period, spanning from the beginning of the 1st down to the middle of the 3rd centuries AD. The relief myrtle wreaths most possibly represent those worn by the Nine Archons during their annual appointment and symbolised their political and religious authority. The plaques appear to have been dedicated in mid-summer when the Archons’ and the secretary to the Thesmothetae offices came to an end. This practice most likely signified their transition to the office of the Areopagites since the former Archons became members of the Areopagus Council for life.

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Supplementary images:

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Roman period marble relief with myrtle wreath and inscription of Archon Basileus Tiberius Antistius Kineas

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Source:  Athens, Greece