Saturday 23 November 2019

GREEK INSCRIPTION FROM AN ALTAR OF GODDESS HESTIA IN TAJIKISTAN


In an inscription found in the Kuliab area, (ancient Western Greco-Bactria) and dated to 200-195 BCE, a Greek by the name of Heliodotos, dedicated a fire altar to the Greek Goddess Hestia. In the inscription which was on the altar, Heliodotos mentions the Greco-Bactrian king Euthydemus I as 'the greatest of all kings', and his son Demetrius I as "Demetrios Kalinikos" (Demetrius the Glorious Conqueror):


Heliodotos inscription

τόνδε σοι βωμὸν θυώδη, πρέσβα κυδίστη θεῶν
Ἑστία, Διὸς κ(α)τ᾽ ἄλσος καλλίδενδρον ἔκτισεν
καὶ κλυταῖς ἤσκησε λοιβαῖς ἐμπύροις Ἡλιόδοτος
ὄφρα τὸμ πάντων μέγιστον Εὐθύδημον βασιλέων
τοῦ τε παῖδα καλλίνικον ἐκπρεπῆ Δημήτριον
πρευμενὴς σώιζηις ἐκηδεῖ(ς) σὺν τύχαι θεόφρον[ι]

"Heliodotos dedicated this fragrant altar for Hestia, venerable Goddess, illustrious amongst all, in the grove of Zeus, with beautiful trees; he made libations and sacrifices so that the greatest of all kings Euthydemos, as well as his son, the glorious, victorious and remarkable Demetrios, be preserved of all pains, with the help of Tyche with divine thoughts."




Source: Wikipedia

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