Dedication of the Warriors from Epirus to Heracles

Abstract

The article analyzes a poetic dedication to Heracles, found during the archaeological dig in northwestern Greece, in Epirus. The dedication was made by three warriors from a small city of Buchetion, who having joined the Roman army participated in the suppression of Aristonicus’ revolt in the kingdom of Pergamon (133–129 BC). The inscription supplements our knowledge of Aristonicus’ revolt. In particular, the new fact is that warriors from Balkan Greece took part in the war against Aristonicus, which is not mentioned by the extant narrative tradition. It is possible that the three warriors were conscripted into the Roman army headed by the consul of 130 BC Marcus Perperna by means of a treaty that the Romans had concluded with the cities of Cassopa and Buchetion, similarly to a number of other Greek states. In the dedication, Aristonicus is referred to by name alone, although it is known that he took the royal title. In all likelihood, the warriors who left the dedication to Heracles served in a wagon train, fulfilling the duties of transporting military goods and, at the same time, guarding them. They apparently belonged to a wealthy segment of society in their small city because they went to war with wagons and horses. It can be assumed that during the devastation the Romans brought to Epirus in 167 BC, the coastal Greek cities, such as Cassopa and Buchetion, did not suffer. The devastation may have affected only the inner areas of the region. The dedication to Heracles was made because Heracles as a savior was popular among Greeks. In addition, he was considered an ancestor of Oxylus, one of the Heraclids who after their return to Peloponnesus became ruler of Elis. Afterwards, colonists from this region founded Buchetion, the home city of the warriors who left the dedication.