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The Xenokrateia Relief is a marble votive offering, dated to the end of the fifth-century BCE. It commemorates the foundation of a sanctuary to the river god Kephisos by a woman named Xenokrateia. The relief, currently on display at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens (NAMA 2756), was found in Neo Phaliro in 1908, in the area inside the Long Walls, which in Antiquity connected the harbor of Piraeus with Athens proper, around the walls’ intersection point with the bed of the Kephisos river. It is dated on stylistic grounds to 410 BCE, and is made of Pentelic marble, while the pillar on which it stands is made of limestone. The relief marks the foundation of a local sanctuary to the river god Kephisos. We have no knowledge of this sanctuary from literary sources, or any indication of archaeological structure in the area where the relief was discovered. This has led some scholars to propose that the sanctuary consisted of only a sacred grove and an altar. Thus, the only information we have comes from this relief and its inscription, as well as from two other finds excavated nearby – the Kephisodotos relief and an inscribed stele. == The Inscription == This inscription has generated many – and sometimes contradicting – interpretations. First, there is some disagreement regarding Xenokrateia’s familial status. Most scholars agree that both her father and son were named Xeniades, and that her husband is not mentioned in the inscription. Mclees thinks she was a widow or maybe that she was not legally married,〔McClees, H., A study of women in Attic inscriptions, (New York, 1920), p. 28.〕 Kron believes she was an heiress who did not need a guardian,〔Kron, Uta, “Priesthoods, Dedication, and Euergetism,” in Hellstrom, P. and Alroth, B. (eds.), Religion and Power in the Ancient Greek World. (Uppsala, 1993). p. 145.〕 and Purvis suggests that Xenokrateia was married to Kephisodotos, who dedicated the other relief mentioned earlier.〔Purvis, A., Singular Dedications. (New York, 2003). p. 31.〕 Cook, however, claims Xenokrateia was the wife of Xeniades, and that she dedicated the relief “as daughter (before her marriage) and mother (after it).”〔Cook, A.B., Zeus. A Study in Ancient Religion. (New York, 1964). p. 183.〕 In addition, scholars are divided in their opinions on how to translate ta didaskalia and to what it refers, since no other information is given for the reason behind the dedication. This phrase is usually translated as “instructions,” “teachings,” “upbringing,” or “training.” One of the interpretations suggests that the relief was given in thanks for the education of Xenokrateia’s son. Yet it was also claimed that since dedications are given to the gods only after they fulfill what was asked of them, Xenokrateia is thanking the god for her own education which she now uses in order to educate her son. Other suggestions are that this is an act in which Xenokrateia places her son under the protection of Kephisos, or that it was given in thanks after her son won a singing competition.〔Purvis, A., Singular Dedications. (New York, 2003). p. 30.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Xenokrateia Relief」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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