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Last Updated on 21 Feb 2017

Author: Ilias Arnaoutoglou

CAPInv. 265: koinon ton thiasoton

I. LOCATION

i. Geographical area Attica with Salamis
ii. Region Attica
iii. Site Piraeus

II. NAME

i. Full name (original language) κοινὸν τῶν θιασωτῶν (IG II2 1273, ll. 20-21)
ii. Full name (transliterated) koinon ton thiasoton

III. DATE

i. Date(s) 265 (?) / 264 (?) BC

IV. NAME AND TERMINOLOGY

ii. Name elements
Cultic:thiasotai
iii. Descriptive terms κοινόν, koinon
Note koinon: IG II2 1273, ll. 20

V. SOURCES

i. Source(s) IG II2 1273, 265/4 BC?
Note The inscription is written stoichedon.
Ed. pr. Archaeologische Zeitung 13/82-83 (1855) cols 83-85 nos 2-3; An.Ép 1855, 1281 no. 2583. (ΑΡΜΑ 5, 367 no. 2431); Ephemeris ton Philomathon issue 205 (13/4/1857) 38 no. 24 (APMA 2, 89 no. 239)
Other publications: Lueders no. 15; Foucart no. 22-23; Michel 978; Vermaseren, CCCA 2.258; GRA I 18
Cf. SEG 28: 108; 30: 96; 39: 152, 310; 43: 114; 44: 58; 50: 1, 165; 57: 29. BE 1995: no. 230.
Online Resources IG II2 1273 and AGRW ID 3752

i.a. Source type(s) Epigraphic source(s)
i.b. Document(s) typology & language/script Greek honorific decrees, a) for a certain Soterichos of Troizen because he has contributed in the building of the sanctuary (for his εὔνοια, eunoia and φιλοτιμία, philotimia) and, b) for a certain Kephalion of Herakleia because of his stewardship over the sacred affairs.
i.c. Physical format(s) Pedimental marble stele measuring 0,39x0,22m.
ii. Source(s) provenance Found in 1855 in Piraeus, to the south of the peninsula of Zea, now in the Epigraphical Museum, EM 7757.

VI. BUILT AND VISUAL SPACE

ii. References to buildings/objects In the inscription there are references to a precinct (ἱερόν, hieron, l. 31), a house (οἶκος, oikos, l. 7), and to a stele (στήλη, stele, l. 27).

VII. ORGANIZATION

iii. Members Members of the group are designated as θιασῶται, thiasotai (IG II2 1273, ll. 5-6, 9, 11-12, 14, 18-19, 25, 32-33).
iv. Officials Priest, ἱερεύς, hiereus, IG II2 1273, ll. 13, 16, 21 and 29.
Known practice of appointment The person appointed as priest (ἱερεύς, hiereus) was alloted (λαχών, lachon, l. 29).
v. Other staff In the first of the two decrees is mentioned that Soterichos is honoured because of the care he took over the building of a house (l. 8), perhaps as member of an ad hoc committee.
Known practice of appointment There is also reference to an unspecified office to which a person is elected (αἱρεθείς, hairetheis, l. 5).
vi. Laws and rules It is prescribed that the exaction of a fine will follow the same procedure used for the exaction of other debts to the association (IG II2 1273, ll. 24-26), Ziebarth 1896: 175.
vii. Judicial system A fine equal to 50 dr. is imposed to the priest who do not crown or do not proclaim the crown (IG II2 1273, ll. 21-24).

VIII. PROPERTY AND POSSESSIONS

ii. Realty The association had a sanctuary and had built in it an oikos (IG II2 1273 ll. 7-8)
iii. Income The association imposed fines to the priests who did not comply with their duty to crown or to proclaim the crowns awarded (IG II2 1273 ll. 21-24).

IX. MEMBERSHIP

ii. Gender Men
Note Λεύκων, Athenian Onomasticon s.v. (8).
Κεφαλίων Ἡρακλεώτης, Athenian Onomasticon s.v. (18).
Σωτήριχος Τροζήνιος, Athenian Onomasticon s.v. (85).
iii. Age Adults
iv. Status Two of the individuals are resident aliens (metics), while the third one remains unidentified (perhaps also a metic).

X. ACTIVITIES

iii. Worship The members of group performed sacrifices (θυσίαι, thysiai, IG II2 1273 l. 14) and libations (σπονδαί, spondai, IG II2 1273 l. 15).
Deities worshipped Μήτηρ (Θεῶν), Meter (Theon), IG II2 1273 ll. 24, 32.
iv. Honours/Other activities Both honoured individuals are praised (ἐπαινέσαι, epainesai, IG II2 1273 ll. 9-10, 34) and awarded an olive-leaves crown (θαλλοῦ στέφανος, thallou stephanos, IG II2 1273 ll. 12-13, 16, 35). In addition, Soterichos' crown will be proclaimed (ἀνειπάτω, aneipato, IG II2 1273 l. 17) by the priest on every appropriate occasion (IG II2 1273 ll. 17-18). Soterichos was honoured for his benevolence (εὔνοια, eunoia) and zeal (φιλοτιμία, philotimia).

XI. INTERACTION

i. Local interaction The relation of this association with the orgeones of the Mother of the Gods (CAPInv. 361) remains a matter of debate, although cult associations sharing the same sanctuary is not as uncommon as it was thought.

XII. NOTES

i. Comments The decrees were passed during the archonship of ---os.
ii. Poland concordance Poland A17
iii. Bibliography Arnaoutoglou, I. (2003), Thusias heneka kai sunousias. Private religious associations in Hellenistic Athens. Athens.
Ismard, P. (2010), La cité des réseaux. Athènes et ses associations VIe – Ier siècle av. J.-C.. Paris: 349, 355.
Jones, N. (1999), The associations of classical Athens. A response to democracy. New York: 263-4
Mikalson, J. (1998), Religion in Hellenistic Athens. Los Angeles: 148
Osborne, M. (2004), ‘The archons of IG II2 1273’ in A. Matthaiou (ed.), Attikai Epigraphai (Praktika symposiou eis mnemen A. Wilhelm (1864-1950)). Athena: 199-211.
Osborne, M. (2009), ‘The archons of Athens 300/299–228/7’, ZPE 171: 83-99.
Pakkanen, P. (1996), Interpreting early Hellenistic religion. A study based on the mystery cult of Demeter and the cult of Isis. Helsinki.
Parker, R. (1996), Athenian religion. A history. Oxford: 159-60, 188-94, 197-8
Tracy, S. (1990), Attic letter-cutters of 229 to 86 B.C.. Berkeley: 259
Ziebarth, E. (1896), Das griechische Vereinswesen. Leipzig.

XIII. EVALUATION

i. Private association Certain
Note The association displays all the hallmarks of a private association: distinct name, membership, organization, property and durability.