8/14/2019 Macedonian Archaeology: First Hellene of the Province

1/3

Macedonian Archaeology: First of the Hellenes in the Province An

Inscription from Mygdonia

Pantelis Nigdelis and Asterios Lioutas presented a couple of years ago, a veryinteresting research entitled "First of the Hellenes in the Province- a newinscription from Mygdonia" focused on an inscription coming from theregion of Mygdonia. As the archaeologists noted, the Inscription wasfound specifically in the Palaiokastron hill archaeological site, whichis approximately one kilometre northwest of the village of Mavrouda in the

Langada district of the Prefecture of Thessaloniki, and it came to light in May2001.

The Bust from Mygdonia

The inscription is found on a bust of a male figure, worked in coarse-grainedmarble and standing on a small base. The dating of the bust to the second quarterof the third century is based on comparisons with similar works from workshops in

Thessaloniki .

The text on the Inscription (See next Image) says:

8/14/2019 Macedonian Archaeology: First Hellene of the Province

2/3

Bust Detail

According to this text the bust was erected in honour of one [Ae?]lius Nicopolianus by his slave Zosimus, who was a . InMacedonia, stewards () and overseers () are attested as a rule

in inscriptions in lowland districts, such as Philippi, Langada, Thessaloniki, Pella,

Pydna, Heraclea Lyncestis, and Pelagonia, and were usually slaves or freedmen. The

aforementioned [Ae?]lius Nicopolianus, was probably a Macedonian, scion of a

Greek family that had likely acquired Roman citizenship (civitas Romana) during the

reign of Hadrian or the Antonines.

It is well-known that during the reign of Hadrian, Thessalonike was a member of theThessalonike was a member of theThessalonike was a member of theThessalonike was a member of the

PanhellenioPanhellenioPanhellenioPanhellenionnnn.

In brief, Hadrian created the PanhellenionPanhellenionPanhellenionPanhellenion, a federation consisting of Greeks which

gave equal representation to all Greek cities and thereafter played a conspicuous part in

the history of Roman Greece.

In the Panhellenion Leaque which started about 131 AD, a city could take part ONLYONLYONLYONLY

if the city could prove her greekness. This greekness shouif the city could prove her greekness. This greekness shouif the city could prove her greekness. This greekness shouif the city could prove her greekness. This greekness should be as cultural as muchld be as cultural as muchld be as cultural as muchld be as cultural as much

as ancestral.as ancestral.as ancestral.as ancestral.

From other inscriptions being found, we are aware that certain city members who

proved their greekness among others were Athens, Megara, Sparta, Chalcis, Argos,

Epidaurus, Amphicleia, Corinth and of course ThessalThessalThessalThessaloniconiconiconicaaaa. It is not coincidence that aaaa

8/14/2019 Macedonian Archaeology: First Hellene of the Province

3/3

distinguished Macedonian of the city served asdistinguished Macedonian of the city served asdistinguished Macedonian of the city served asdistinguished Macedonian of the city served as ("Archon("Archon("Archon("Archonf the Panf the Panf the Panf the Pan----Hellenes") during 205Hellenes") during 205Hellenes") during 205Hellenes") during 205----208 A.208 A.208 A.208 A.DDDD.

What should be of great significance here is the phrase

("First of the Hellenes in the Province"). The Greek archaeologists clarify

that the word here is attested for the first time in a Macedonian inscription,is used in place of the more common ; it occurs in several inscriptions of the

imperial age in various Greek-speaking regions. The word signifies that herepresented his Koinon of the Macedonians meeting in Beroea. To assuming of

course that he Koinon of the Macedonians meeting in Beroea. To judge from the

information we have, he must have been the leading delegate from the district,

assuming of course that he did indeed come from there and was not simply a wealthy

Macedonian who had acquired property in the area.

The honorific title , a title also found in differentvariations among inscriptions elsewhere, like in Asia Minor, reveals the expression of

strong faith in their own Greek Identity among Macedonians.

http://history-of-macedonia.com/wordpress/2009/12/25/macedonia-archaeology-first-

hellenes-province-mygdonia/

Want more of this? See these Posts:

1. Hadrian, Thessalonica and Panhellenion League (12.098)2.

Ancient inscription sheds more light to the usage of the term Philhellene (10.371)3. Ancient Macedonian Archaeology The Phiale of Megara (10.208)

4. Makedonia (Mygdonia) Thessalonike 688 AD (9.987)5. Ancient non-Macedonian Greek cities/tribes enslaving Hellenes (9.245)

Tags: asia minor, greek identity, hellenes,, langada, macedonian archaeology,

macedonians, mygdonia, thessaloniki

Copyright 2006-2009, history-of-macedonia.com All rights reserved