The article presents a newly identified Greek inscription discovered in Hamadan, ancient Seleucid Ecbatana, engraved on a fragmentary Doric capital found during construction work in 2017. Based on paleographic analysis, the inscription is dated between the late III and early II century BCE. The text records a votive dedication by an individual named Diodoros to Sarapis, possibly together with Isis, suggesting the presence of their cult in the city. This find constitutes the first direct archaeological evidence of Hellenistic religious practices in Ecbatana and indicates the presence of Greek-speaking individuals. The inscription thus provides important new data on the diffusion of Greek culture and cults in Seleucid Media
A GREEK INSCRIPTION FROM SELEUCID ECBATANA (HAMADAN)
Omar Coloru;
2025-01-01
Abstract
The article presents a newly identified Greek inscription discovered in Hamadan, ancient Seleucid Ecbatana, engraved on a fragmentary Doric capital found during construction work in 2017. Based on paleographic analysis, the inscription is dated between the late III and early II century BCE. The text records a votive dedication by an individual named Diodoros to Sarapis, possibly together with Isis, suggesting the presence of their cult in the city. This find constitutes the first direct archaeological evidence of Hellenistic religious practices in Ecbatana and indicates the presence of Greek-speaking individuals. The inscription thus provides important new data on the diffusion of Greek culture and cults in Seleucid MediaI documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
