The stele of Prusias is one of the

ex voto An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or to a divinity; the term is usually restricted to Christian examples. It is given in fulfillment of a vow (hence the Latin term, short for ''ex voto suscepto'', "from the vow made") or in gratitude o ...

s at the sanctuary of

Apollo Apollo, grc, Ἀπόλλωνος, Apóllōnos, label=genitive , ; , grc-dor, Ἀπέλλων, Apéllōn, ; grc, Ἀπείλων, Apeílōn, label=Arcadocypriot Greek, ; grc-aeo, Ἄπλουν, Áploun, la, Apollō, la, Apollinis, label= ...

Delphi Delphi (; ), in legend previously called Pytho (Πυθώ), in ancient times was a sacred precinct that served as the seat of Pythia, the major oracle who was consulted about important decisions throughout the ancient classical world. The oracle ...

, constructed in honour of king

Prusias II of Bithynia Prusias II Cynegus (Greek: Προυσίας ὁ Κυνηγός; "the Hunter", c. 220 BC – 149 BC, reigned c. 182 BC – 149 BC) was the Greek king of Bithynia. He was the son and successor of Prusias I and Apama III. Life Prusias was ...

Construction and testimonies

The stele of Prusias is located to the northeast of the entrance of the temple of Apollo in the archaeological site of Delphi. It has been restored in situ. The monument has been identified through an inscription mentioning that it was dedicated by the

Aetolian League The Aetolian (or Aitolian) League ( grc-gre, Κοινὸν τῶν Αἰτωλῶν) was a confederation of tribal communities and cities in ancient Greece centered in Aetolia in central Greece. It was probably established during the early Hellen ...

to honour king

, in northwestern

Asia Minor Anatolia, tr, Anadolu Yarımadası), and the Anatolian plateau, also known as Asia Minor, is a large peninsula in Western Asia and the westernmost protrusion of the Asian continent. It constitutes the major part of modern-day Turkey. The re ...

: «».(To the king Prusias, son of king Prusias, the Aetolian League for his virtue and the benefactions he bestowed upon them). Due to this inscription it was also possible to date the

after 182 BC, when Prusias II succeeded his father,

Prusias I Prusias I Cholus (Greek: Προυσίας ὁ Χωλός "the Lame"; c. 243 – 182 BC) was a king of Bithynia, who reigned from c. 228 to 182 BC. Life and Reign Prusias was a vigorous and energetic leader; he fought a war against Byzantium ...

, on the throne of

Bithynia Bithynia (; Koine Greek: , ''Bithynía'') was an ancient region, kingdom and Roman province in the northwest of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), adjoining the Sea of Marmara, the Bosporus, and the Black Sea. It bordered Mysia to the southwest, Pa ...

Description

The monument consists of a tall base made of rows of rectangular blocks, whereas on its upper part it bears a decoration in relief depicting garlands and

bucranium Bucranium (plural ''bucrania''; Latin, from Greek ''βουκράνιον'', referring to the skull of an ox) was a form of carved decoration commonly used in Classical architecture. The name is generally considered to originate with the practic ...

s; the decoration included also a low molding with supports (geisipodes). Its total height reached 9.70 meters. At the top stood the statue of king Prusias on horseback. On the upper part of the monument rows of rectangular slits are possibly related to the entire composition, as they might have been used to fasten floral motifs, such as crops, which probably alluded to the benefaction of the king. They could also have contained bronze blades aiming at protecting the monument against the birds.Perrie, A. (2008). «La moisson et les pigeons. Note sur l’assise sommitale du pilier de Prusias à Delphes». BCH 138: 257-270. The monument was similar to the pedestal the

Monument of Aemilius Paullus The Monument of Aemilius Paullus was erected in the Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi shortly after 167 BCE in order to commemorate the Roman victory over King Perseus of Macedon at the Battle of Pydna. The incomplete pillar was intended as a base fo ...

, set up about 15 years later to the south of the entrance of the temple of Apollo, nowadays exhibited in the Archaeological Museum of Delphi.

Bibliography

*Miller, G.,(2000) "Macedonians at Delphi", in Jacquemin, A. (ed.), ''Delphes: Cent ans après la grande fouille'', Athens, pp. 263–281. *Perrie, A.,(2008) "La moisson et les pigeons. Note sur l’assise sommitale du pilier de Prusias à Delphes", ''BCH'' 138,257-270 *Schalles, H.-J.,(1985) Untersuchungen zur Kulturpolitik der pergamenischen Herrscher im dritten Jahrhundert vor Christus, ''IstForsch'' 36,124 Note 723 *Vatin, Cl., ''Monuments votifs de Delphes'', Rome 1991

References

External links

{{commonscat-inline, Pillar of Prusias II Ancient Greek buildings and structures in Delphi Steles Aetolian League Votive offering