DH.040 Promanteia Inscription

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Creator

Denis Baly

Creation Year

1978

Image ID

DH.040

Subcollection

DH: Delphi

Abstract

An inscription near the base of the Altar of the Chians, the primary altar used for sacrifices at the Temple of Apollo. The inscription grants the Chians the right of consulting the oracle first.

Description

The Altar of the Chians, also called the Altar of Apollo, was a dedication by the people of Chios, replacing an earlier Alcmaeonid altar in the same place. The date is uncertain, and its mention by Herodotus seems to conflict with the construction methods. This inscription is one of the key clues to the dating of the altar, as it does not appear Archaic and should place it firmly after the beginning of the 5th century BCE. The theory proposed by Amandry is that the Chian Altar was first dedicated in the late 6th century BCE and replaced by a Hellenistic replica in the 4th century following the destruction and repair of the temple. It was used throughout the height of worship at Delphi, and while it required occaisonal repairs and reinforcement, stood at least until the 5th century CE, by which point local christians had carved crosses and other christian symbols across exposed stones. It was reconstructed twice in the 20th century, first in 1920 by French archaeologists and again in 1959 by the Greek Restoration Service. In contrast to some other reconstructions at Delphi, these efforts were largely careful and aimed to match the ancient stones as well as possible.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Promantea inscription, Altar of Apollo, Promantea inscript.

Image Format

35 mm slide

Geographic Reference

Delfoi, Greece