Gephyra (May 2023)
Zwei neue Inschriften aus dem Theatertempel von Tlos
Abstract
This article presents the theatre temple of Tlos and two inscriptions carved on the walls of this temple. The temple was built on the central axis of the summa cavea of the Tlos theatre. The façade of the temple faces east. An inscription dated to the 2nd half of the 1st century BC was carved on the west-facing wall of the temple. According to this inscription, Aithon dedicated a golden wreath to Apollo and Demos. Thus, it is understood that the temple belonged to Apollo. The inscription states that Aithon belonged to the astikos demos. For this reason, some interpretations of the inscriptions found in Tlos and containing the names of demoi are included in the paper. All of such inscriptions are dated to the Hellenistic Period. From the Early Imperial Period onwards, demos names are no longer found in the inscriptions. In addition, all of these inscriptions were found in the city centre. Therefore, these demoi indicate a topographical division of citizens in the city settlement plan. The second inscription carved on the southeast wall of the Apollo temple is an astragal inscription. The main function of this inscription is to give a prophecy for those who are going on a journey or travelling. This prophecy inscription consists of 56 stanzas. However, the inscription presented here has not survived as a whole. Only the verses of 25 of these stanzas have survived as fragments. The translation of the 1st inscription is as follows: Aithon, son of Polemon, of the astikos (demos), after becoming gymnasiarkhos and agonothetes, offered this golden wreath as an offering to Apollo and the demos.
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