Recent epigraphic research in central Greece: Euboea, Phokis & Lokris

Abstract

Over the past ten years, the regions of Euboea, Phokis and Lokris have yielded epigraphic material that is not only abundant, but also very varied – whether viewed in chronological, thematic or archaeological terms. All three regions have, for example, produced new manumission records, including the very first for the island of Euboea. The use of inscriptions has made crucial contributions to the identification of several Euboean sanctuaries, such as that of Apollo Selinaios, in the territory of Histiaia, that of Artemis Amarysia, near Amarynthos, and Apollo Delios at Zarex. The sanctuary located at the top of the acropolis of Eretria is now understood to be a sanctuary of Athena, thanks to an inscribed statuette of a lion.The region of Phokis in particular has yielded very diverse epigraphy. Once again, inscriptions associated with sanctuaries stand out, with, for example, a dedication to Pan and the Nymphs from a cave on Mount Parnassos, inscriptions from the oracular sanctuary of Apollo at Abai and from two sanctuaries of Artemis at Antikyra. Scholars working on Roman Phokis will welcome the publication of several new inscriptions, particularly a document from Elateia mentioning an Aetolarch, an honorific inscription from Antikyra, which provides the first occurrence in central Greece for a dekaprotos and, from Ambryssos, a statue base commemorating the emperor Gallienus.