Heritage disappeared ? Some notes on the interpretation of the Eurymedon bronze palm tree in Delphi

Abstract

On the occasion of the victory in the Battle of the Eurymedon, an important episode of the Greco-Persian Wars in 469 BC. a monument was built in Delphi. The material remains of the monument have been lost, but there are mentions in the sources that link this monument with two military events: the battle of the Eurymedon and the Sicilian Expedition. The objectives of this article have been to know why this iconography was chosen, to understand its meaning within the war events that surrounded it. The method used has been the analysis of the original sources, paralleling with other similar monuments of the Greek world. As results, we can know quite accurately the appearance of the monument, as well as the intentionality with which it was built. Thus, we can conclude that it became the perfect symbol to celebrate the Battle of the Eurymedon. This warlike conflict that supposed the consolidation and victory of the League of Delos under the direction of Athens, and its hegemony in the Aegean Sea.

Keywords

• monumental offerings
• Delphi palm tree
• Athena
• Battle of the Eurymedon
• Greek iconography
• commemorative monument