Dedicatory inscription to Hera (GER0107)

Dedicatory inscription to Hera (GER0107)

Dedicatory inscription to Hera at Gerasa (73/74 CE) for a chapel, made on behalf of the wife of Ameros, son of Ragelos, a priest and archibomistes of Pakeidas and Hera.

Welles, C. 1938. "The Inscriptions," pg.383-384, no.17, pl.CVI, in Gerasa: city of the Decapolis, C.H. Kraeling (ed.).

Welles, C. 1938. "The Inscriptions," pg.383-384, no.17, pl.CVI, in Gerasa: city of the Decapolis, C.H. Kraeling (ed.).

Stone

GER0107

613eab4d-7b27-483f-969c-304143f87063

Building/Chapel

Inscription preserved on two architrave blocks, measuring 0.46m in height, 0.60m and 0.61m in height. Inscription damaged, and only partially preserved.

Letter size=0.02m

"The Cathedral"

A temple to Pakeidas and Hera?

The exact function of an 'archibomistes' is unclear, although its does not appear to be confined to a single cult or deity; this title appears in inscriptions at Gerasa associated with Pakeiades and Hera, and with Apollo (Gatier 1988, 151, no.5). Gatier (1988, 152-154) argues that the archibomistes was involved in sacrifice, perhaps serving different functions for different gods, while [Lichtenberger: βωμός ("altar") suggests that Pakeidas was depicted as an altar]. The title appears in at least two other inscriptions from Gerasa in addition to the one presented here (Gatier 1988, 151-154, nos.5-6).

Gatier, P.-L. 1988. "Inscriptions religieuses de Gerasa II," ADAJ 32:151-155.

Licthjenberger, A. 2003. Kulte und Kultur der Dekapolis. Untersuchungen zu numismatischen, archäologischen und epigraphischen Zeugnissen. Wiesbaden: Harrassowitz Verlag. (pp.---)