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Last Updated on 17 Mar 2017

Author: François Chevrollier

CAPInv. 1154: oi metechontes tou aleimmatos

I. LOCATION

i. Geographical area Libya with Cyrenaica
ii. Region Cyrenaica
iii. Site Cyrene

II. NAME

i. Full name (original language) οἱ μετέχοντες τοῦ ἀλείμματος (SEG 9: 4, l. 19)
ii. Full name (transliterated) oi metechontes tou aleimmatos

III. DATE

i. Date(s) 17 / 16 BC

IV. NAME AND TERMINOLOGY

ii. Name elements
Other:oi metechontes tou aleimmatos
Note

V. SOURCES

i. Source(s) SEG 9: 4, l. 19 (17-16 BC)
Note Corrected by Robert 1939 although it does not modify the line in which the association is mentionned
Online Resources Will soon be available at Inscriptions of Roman Cyrenaica
i.a. Source type(s) Epigraphic source(s)
i.b. Document(s) typology & language/script Civic decree in Greek in honour of Barkaios son of Theuchrestos
i.c. Physical format(s) Marble stele damaged above and at the right side

VI. BUILT AND VISUAL SPACE

i. Archaeological remains The ephebes trained in the gymnasium built around m. ii BC and located in the north-eastern area of the agora. The gymnasium was transformed into a Caesareum in the Augustean period and then into a forum in the Flavians era. The complex was probably still used as a gymnasium when the decree was passed. There is no clear evidence that the inscription had been found in the gymnasium. On the complex: Bonacasa and Ensoli 2000: 91-96.

IX. MEMBERSHIP

ii. Gender Men
Note Since the association is restricted to former ephebes, only men could become members.
iii. Age Adults
Note After the ephebia.
iv. Status Citizens (former ephebes)

X. ACTIVITIES

iv. Honours/Other activities In the decree in honour of Barkaios, the metechontes tou aleimmatos are called to carry the body of the honorand during his public funerals: βαστάξαι δὲ τὰν ἐκφορὰν αὐτῶι τός τ[ε ἀλειφομένος] καὶ τὸς ἄλλος τὸς μετέχοντας τῶι ἀλείμματος (bastaxai de tan ekphoran autoi tos t[e aleiphomenos] kai tos allos tos metechontas toi aleimmatos, SEG 9: 4, ll. 18-19). Barkaios was involved in Cyrene's athletic life, since the same decree describes how he gave to the gymnasium several lands and their revenues. The metechontes tou aleimmatos, as former ephebes, must have benefited from Barkaios's gift, and therefore, they received the privilege to take an active part in his public funeral. They may have been allowed to participate in all the public funerals of benefactors who funded the athletic activities.

XI. INTERACTION

i. Local interaction The association honours non-members such as Barkaios son of Theuchrestos. Barkaios had been priest of the imperial cult (SEG 9: 133, l. 5) in Cyrene.
The association of the former ephebes must also have maintained close relations with the ephebes and all the officers of the gymnasium.

XII. NOTES

i. Comments The metechontes tou aleimmatos may have held their meetings in the gymnasium.
iii. Bibliography Bonacasa, N., and Ensoli, S. (2000), Cirene. Milan
Chiricat, E. (2005), ‘Funérailles publiques et enterrement au gymnase à l'époque hellénistique’, in P. Fröhlich and C. Müller (eds.), Citoyenneté et participation à la basse époque hellénistique. Actes de la table-ronde de la BnF (mai 2004), Geneva: 207-223.
Delorme, J. (1960), Gymnasion: étude sur les monuments consacrés à l'éducation en Grèce, Paris.
Luni, M. (1976), ‘Documenti per la storia della istituzione ginnasiale e dell'attività atletica in Cirenaica, in rapporto a quelle della Grecia’, QAL 8: 244.
Pelekidis, C. (1962), Histoire de l'éphébie attique, des origines à 31 avant J.-C., Paris.
Robert, L. (1939), ‘Hellenica. Décret de Cyrène pour un évergète’, RPh 13: 156-163.

XIII. EVALUATION

i. Private association Certain
Note Considered as the association of former ephebes by Luni 1976. Paralleled by Delorme 1960: 353 and Pelekidis 1962: 60-61. See also Chiricat 2005