Description of Monument

Parts of the combined architrave and frieze from the north side of the Doric entablature of the theatre stage. Four pieces from three white marble frieze blocks. a: a complete block (length 1.43) b two fragments, (0.64 and 0.62); c broken, length 0.585. d is the left, recessed end of the block bearing the opening of 565.

Description of Text

Inscribed in one line on the fascia, height 0.055

Letters

Capitals of the second century A.D.0.04. ΗΝ in ligature.

Date

A.D. 167-8 (prosopography: Maximus recorded as quaestor Asiae)

Edition κατὰ τὴν Ἰουνίου Μαξίμου τοῦ κρατίστου ταμίου κρίσιν τοὺς δύο ἀνδριάντας Γρύπος Ἀρτεμιδώρου ἀποκαθέστησεν

Apparatus

Upright lines indicate block ends.

Restoration of the entablature appears to indicate that the whole ttext was contained on these three blocks, although the absence of names for those represented by the statues is surprising.

Translation

According to the decision of Iunius Maximus the eminent Quaestor,Grypos son of Artemidoros restored the two statues .

Commentary

For the quaestor, Junius Maximus, see 2 I 0774, and G. Alföldy/H. Halfman 35 (1979), 195f., Reynolds, 2, 19. As tribune in 165-6 he brought news of vistory in Partia to Rome, and was rewarded by the quaestorship held in Asia in 167-8. This text suggests that he was treated there as one whose actions conferred éclat on those involved with him, since the Aphrodisians seem to have invited his judgement on a matter on which, as far as we know, they were under no obligation to do so

Grypos son of Artemidoros belonged to a family attested as active in the city from the Flavian period to the late second century A.D., but at present we have no other record of his activities.

The statues restored may have had names on their bases, or possibly represented not persons but deities or concepts too obvious to need them.

Locations

Theatre: fallen on the north side of the stage; close to other elements of the entablature. Theatre proskeneion frieze, at north end. Inscribed on the blocks which make up the cornice, of the Doric order, above 8.1, the inscription of Zoilos, across the back of the Theatre stage. The blocks have simple moulding above, supporting water spouts in the form of lions' heads; the underside has a decoration of mutules. Findspot, restored at the north end of the entablature.

Text Constituted From

Transcription (Reynolds); publications

History of Recording

Excavated by the NYU expedition in 1967 (a: 67.548, b: 67.547, c: 67.546, d: 67.540).

Bibliography

Published byReynolds, , doc. 53, whence SEG 1982.1097, 1983.391, 1984.882, McCabe 196

Photographs

a (1977)

b (1977)

c (1977)

d (1977)

Assembled in situ (1989)