Topos Inscriptions from the Theatre of Aizanoi

Abstract

This paper presents thirty-three topos inscriptions documented during the excavation conducted in 2020 in the orchestra, the ima cavea, and the diazoma of the theatre of Aizanoi. Thirty of these inscriptions were previously unpublished. The remaining three inscriptions have been previously published but are reconsidered here within the scope and discussion of the paper. Six of the recorded inscriptions are preserved in situ in the ima cavea (nos. 1–6). Eleven inscriptions are found on blocks belonging to the diazoma wall (nos. 7–17). The rest (nos. 8–33) are seat inscriptions carved on gradus blocks of the summa cavea. The inscriptions from the ima cavea date back to the late 1^st century BC. In contrast, those from the diazoma wall and summa cavea date back to the mid-2^nd century AD at the earliest. The inscriptions on the first four and sixth cunei, from east to west, of the ima cavea bear the names of the phylai of Aizanoi. Among them, Hadriane and Asklepias were already known, while Dionysias and Metroas are new phylai added to the list. The inscription on the second cuneus, of which only two letters remain, may belong to the Phyle of Heraklea, which has been documented previously. Thus, the inscriptions reveal that Aizanoi had five phylai. The inscriptions on the diazoma and summa cavea bear the names of individuals who reserved seats and perhaps provided financial support for the construction of these sections.