A statue base with honorary inscription for P. Claudius Calpurnianus, the priest of Asclepius

Abstract

In the northwest corner of the theatre-excavations under the leadership of Dr. Aygün Ekin Meriç in Nikaia a honorific round basis (originally with statue) for the Asclepius priest Publius Claudius Calpurnianus was detected. The person honoured was son of the priest of the ruler Hadrian and member of an influential family of the city. The role of Hadrian as a benefactor in re­building the city after the earthquake of 120 AD is well known. His priest may be crucial that his son was invested a priest of the Asclepius cult. A family member may also have erected the basis. A priest of Asclepios is not attested yet, in the city. The cult is important for the city and the re­gion, though Asclepios, therefore, „a Saviour” god, probably played a significant role during a catastrophe like an earthquake. The close connection of father and son as well as of Hadrian and Asclepius priest focuses our minds on the earthquake of 120 AD.

Keywords

• asklepios rahibi
• hadrianus rahibi
• nikaia
• i̇znik
• i̇. s. 120 depremi
• “kurtarıcı” asklepios
• priest of asclepius
• priest of hadrian
• earthquake 120 ad
• asclepius “the saviour”
• nicaea
• i̇znik
• asclepius “the saviour”