Offering of Daochos II in Sanctuary of Apollo

Abstract

The long stone base of the Offering of Daochos II, a delegate of the Amphictyonic Council. The monument included nine statues, one of Apollo, 8 of Daochos' family line, representing 6 generations.

Description

The Offering of Daochos II, also known as the Monument of the Thessalians, was a dedication made by the hieromnemon Daochos of Pharsalos, a delegate of the Amphictyonic Council from Thessaly. The Amphictyonic League was a collection of 12 local tribes, as well as more distant but influential cities such as Athens and Sparta, who administered the sacred district of Delphi, maintained the shrines, and oversaw the Pythian Games. Daochos was a hieromnemon in the council from 336-332 BCE, during which it is believed he commisioned the monument. It included nine statues, one of Apollo and 8 of Daochos' family, including himself. Except for Apollo, each statue was accompanied by a sizeable inscription, giving the identity and summary of their achievements. The inscription for Hagias, Daochos' great-grandfather, has been matched with a very similar bronze statue found at Pharsalos, Daochos' hometown. This has led scholars to believe the entire monument at Delphi, or at least that statue, is a direct copy of a monument at Pharsalos, which predates it slightly. The monument had profound political importance, both reasserting the legitimacy of the former Thessalian leader Daochos I, as well as strengthening ties between Thessaly and Macedon during the rise of Macedonian power.

Image Notes

Creation date unknown. Photograph processed July 1978. Notes written on the slide or index: Offering of Daochos II - Base for the Offering.

Identifier DH.049
Collection DH: Delphi
Location Delfoi, Greece
Year 1978
Batch Stamp JUL 78
Printed Date July, 1978
Slide Notes Offering of Daochos II - Bare for the Offering
Index Notes Offering of Dachos - bases
General Location Sanctuary of Apollo at Delphi
Camera Location Monument of Daochos II
Precision Possible
Angle 230 degrees SW