Gephyra (May 2010)
The Social Rise of an Animal Fighter (archikynegos) from Bithynia
Abstract
A funerary inscription recently found in Claudiupolis reveals that the venator/archikynegos Iustus was a citizen of the Asian metropoleis of Smyrna, Ephesus and Pergamon as well as of the Bithynian cities of Nicaea and Prusa ad Olympum. Since he and his two brothers are mentioned only with their praenomina but without their father's name, they seem to be of servile origin. The mention of Nikaia at the top of the list of citizenships as well as the use of the words σκυλεύω and ἀνεξοδίαστον suggest that this city was Iustus' patria. After a successful career as venator Iustus became a freedman. His various citizenships and the title archikynegos suggest that he continued his career as a fighter of wild beasts even after manumission. He must have reached stardom in the arena since the most important metropoleis of Asia honoured him with gifts of citizenship. The naturalisation of a venator is unique for Asia Minor. Iustus can be compared to the sportsmen and sophists who also acquired the citizenship of various cities.
