- Philopappos Monument
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General view of the Philopappos Monument on top of Mouseion Hill.
A close-up view of the Philopappos Monument.The Philopappos Monument (Greek: Μνημείο Φιλοπάππου) is an ancient Greek mausoleum and monument dedicated to Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos or Philopappus, (Greek: Γάιος Ιούλιος Αντίοχος Επιφανής Φιλόπαππος, 65–116 AD), a prince from the Kingdom of Commagene. It is located on Mouseion Hill in Athens, Greece, southwest of the Acropolis.
Contents
Origins
Philopappos died in 116, and his death caused great grief to his sister Julia Balbilla, citizens of Athens and possibly to the imperial family. As a dedication to honor the memory of Philopappos, Balbilla with the citizens of Athens erected a tomb structure on Mouseion Hill near the Acropolis of Athens. His marble tomb monument is still known as the Philopappos Monument, and the hill is today known as Philopappos Hill (Λόφος Φιλοπάππου).
The Greek geographer Pausanias (Description of Greece, I.25.8), describes Philopappos’ grand tomb as a monument built for a Syrian man. The monument was built on the same site where Musaios or Musaeus, a 6th century BC priestly poet and mystical seer, was held to have been buried. The location of this tomb, opposite the Acropolis and within formal boundaries of the city, shows the high position Philopappos had within Athenian society.
Description
Philopappos’ monument is a two-storey structure, supported by a base. On the lower level there is a frieze representing Philopappos as a consul, riding on a chariot and led by lictors. The upper level shows statues of three men: of Antiochus IV on the left, of Philopappos in the centre and of Seleucus I Nicator, now lost, on the right.
In the niche below Philopappos is an inscription that says: Φιλόπαππος Επιφάνους Βησαιευς, ("Philopappos, son of Epiphanes of the deme of the Besa"). This was the name Philopappos carried as an Athenian citizen. In the niche left of Philopappos, an inscription in Latin, records Philopappos’ titles, honors and his career as a Roman magistrate: "Caius Iulius Antiochus Philopappos, son of Caius, of the Fabian tribe, consul and Arval brother, admitted to the praetorian rank by the emperor Caesar Nerva Trajan Optumus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus". On the right niche of Philopappos once read a Greek inscription (now the base is only preserved): Βασιλεύς Αντίοχος Φιλόπαππος Βασιλέως Επιφανούς Αντιόχου ("King Antiochus Philopappos, son of King Epiphanes, son of Antiochus").
Below the statue of Antiochus IV, Philopappos' paternal grandfather, is an inscription that states "King Antiochus son of King Antiochus". This inscription honors Antiochus IV and his late father, the last independent ruler of the Kingdom of Commagene, King Antiochus III Epiphanes. When Antiochus III died in 17, Commagene was annexed by the Roman Emperor Tiberius and became a part of the Roman Empire. Below the statue of Seleucus I, the founder of the Seleucid Empire from whom the Commagene kings claimed descent, stood another inscription, now lost. The traveller Cyriacus of Ancona wrote in his memoir that underneath th inscription stated "King Seleucus Nicator, son of Antiochus".
The monument measures 9.80 m × 9.30 m, and contains Philopappos’ burial chamber. The structure is built of white Pentelic marble on a socle 3.08 m high, made of poros marble and veneered with slabs of Hymettian marble. The north side of Philopappos’ monument bears lavish architectural decorations.
Excavations and history
In 1898, excavations were carried out at the monument and in 1899 conservation work was undertaken. Archaeologists in 1940, H. A. Thompson and J. Travios conducted small additional excavations. Recent investigations have certified that architectural parts of Philopappos’ Monument have been used for construction of the Minaret in the Parthenon.
Only two-thirds of the façade remains. The tomb chamber behind the façade is completely destroyed except for the base. The Philopappos Monument appeared to be intact until recently as in 1436, the traveller Cyriacus of Ancona visited the monument and wrote in his memoirs that the monument was still intact. The destruction of the monument must have occurred after this time.
Sources
- Kleiner, D.E.E. “The Monument of Philopappos.” Archaeologica 30 (1983), Athenaeus Deipnosophistae VIII.350c
- Josephus Bellum Judaeum 238-243
- Pausanias (geographer) I.25.8
- Plutarch Quaestiones Convivales 628a & Quomodo ab adulatore discernatur amicus 48e & 66c, IG II² 1759, 3112, 3450, 3451, & 4511; IG V.2.524; Inscriptions du Colosse de Memnon nos. 28-31, & OGIS 408
External links
Coordinates: 37°58′02″N 23°43′17″E / 37.96722°N 23.72139°E
Categories:- 2nd-century architecture
- Acropolis of Athens
- Landmarks in Athens
- Monuments and memorials in Greece
- Burial monuments and structures
- Roman Athens
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