Stable URL: http://ancientassociations.ku.dk/assoc/1876Download as PDF
Last Updated on 21 Jun 2019

Author: Stella Skaltsa

CAPInv. 1876: Serapiastai

I. LOCATION

i. Geographical area Aegean Islands
ii. Region Kos
iii. Site Halasarna (Kardamaina)

II. NAME

i. Full name (original language) Σεραπιασταί (IG XII 4.2 605 II, l. 2)
ii. Full name (transliterated) Serapiastai

III. DATE

i. Date(s) ii AD

IV. NAME AND TERMINOLOGY

ii. Name elements
Theophoric:Sarapiastai: Sarapis

V. SOURCES

i. Source(s) IG XII 4.2 605 II (ii AD)
Note PH 371b
RICIS 204/1101
Maillot 2013: no. 52
Online Resources Paton-Hicks 371b
i.a. Source type(s) Epigraphic source(s)
i.b. Document(s) typology & language/script Dedication in Greek.
The inscription is inscribed below an earlier Hellenistic inscription (IG XII 4.2 605 I).
IG XII 4.2 605 II records a gymnasiarch of Serapiastan. His name, Zosimos son of Zosimos, in engraved inside a wreath.
i.c. Physical format(s) Marble base.
ii. Source(s) provenance Found in modern Kardamaina (ancient Halasarna) in the church of Aghia Theoteta.

VII. ORGANIZATION

iv. Officials γυμνασίαρχος, gymnasiarchos (II l. 1)
Zosimos, the son of Zosimos, was gymnasiarch of the Sarapiastai.

XII. NOTES

i. Comments In light of the later date of the inscription (ii AD) the term gymnasiarchos should denote the person responsible for the supply of oil, probably on the occasion of athletic contests.

Associations centered around the cult of Egyptian deities are well attested in Kos. See CAP Inv. 1873 with more references.
iii. Bibliography Maillot, S. (2013), 'Les associations à Cos', in P. Hamon and P. Fröhlich (eds.), Groupes et associations dans les cités grecques. Geneva: 199-226.

XIII. EVALUATION

i. Private association Certain
Note The name (theophoric terminating in -iastai) is indicative of a cultic association.