TRE ISCRIZIONI AGONISTICHE ESEMPLARI COME FONTI EPIGRAFICHE SULLE ONORIFICENZE DELLA MADREPATRIA PER I VINCITORI AGONISTICI

Abstract

This paper aims at investigating through inscriptions the moral and economic rewards for winners in equestrian
and gymnic games. A new general classification for rewards (i.e. the Greek word τιμή or τίμια) has
been proposed. Moreover, since epigraphic sources are often the most relevant for this project, the analysis
focuses on three exemplary inscriptions: IG I³ 131 (Athens, c. 440-430 BC); Hallof 2019 (Olympia, c. 290-
280 BC); I.Ephesos 11 A = SEG 28, 834 (Aphrodisias, time of Hadrian). These inscriptions have been chosen
on the basis of the following criteria: they are representative for three different rewards (sitesis, solemn entry
into the city, erection of a statue) respectively in the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman Imperial periods and
their study has revealed new exegetical suggestions.