Translations of Hellenistic Inscriptions: 157

EPITAPH OF MEGAKLEIA AT MEGALOPOLIS

Greek text: IG_5.2.461
Date: c. 160-130 B.C.
Tags: women
Format: see key to translations

The continuing influence of noble families usually depended on producing sons. The famous soldier and statesman Philopoimen of Megalopolis did not have any sons, but this inscription shows that he had at least one daughter. His daughter in her turn seems to have had two daughters. One of the granddaughters is commemorated in this verse epitaph. The other granddaughter probably married into the family of the historian Polybios, thus providing a marriage connection between the two most powerful families in Megalopolis. For a hypothetical reconstruction of the family tree, see C. Settipani, "Les prétentions généalogiques à Athènes sous l'empire romain", page 186 ( PDF ).

There is a French translation of the epitaph by Anne Bielman.

O stranger, praise the hospitality of Megakleia, who inherited the third generation of the blood of well-armed Philopoimen.
Her mother bore her from marriage with Damokrates, and she was sacred priestess of Cyprian Aphrodite Xenia.
She put for the goddess a well-built wall around the temple, and houses for public guests.
If this woman earned a fine reputation by her wealth, it is not surprising: the virtue of ancestors stays in their children.

→ inscription 158

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