The Themis Leonideios in the Light of a New Inscription
LIBRI XI (2025) 211-233
Received Date: 26.10.2025 | Acceptance Date: 14.11.2025
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.18030839
Online Publication Date: 23.12.2025
Abstract: A newly discovered inscription from Antiokheia Paralios, commonly known as Antiochia ad Cragum, commemorates an athlete named Aur(elius) Salvianus, who won the pankration competition in the boys’ category during the first celebration of the themis Leonideios, established by Aur(elius) Leonidas. The inscription proves a crucial role in resolving uncertainties surrounding the themis, and significantly enhances the understanding of its nature and scope. It offers fresh interpretations of expressions found in other related inscriptions and it enables more precise inferences regarding the founding process of the themis and the life of its founder, Leonidas. Moreover, it establishes a clear timeline for both the founding and concluding dates of the themis. Additionally, it provides the basis for essential corrections and updates to previously published inscriptions related to the themis Leonideios.
Keywords: Antiochia, Rough Cilicia, Leonidas, Themis Leonideios, Pankration, Salvianus
Öz: Resmi belgelerde Antiokheia Paralios olarak geçen, ancak genel olarak Antiochia ad Cragum adıyla bilinen kentte bulunan yeni bir yazıt, Aur(elius) Leonidas tarafından kurulan themis Leonideios’un ilk kutlamasında, çocuklar kategorisinde pankration yarışmasını kazanan Aur(elius) Salvianus adlı bir sporcuyu onurlandırmaktadır. Bu yazıt, themis Leonideios’a ilişkin belirsizliklerin giderilmesinde kritik bir rol oynamakta; bunun kapsamına, niteliğine ve diğer ilgili yazıtlarda geçen ifadelere dair yeni ve açıklayıcı yorumlar sunmaktadır. Themis’in kuruluş süreci ve kurucusu Leonidas’ın yaşamı hakkında daha kesin çıkarımlar yapılmasına olanak tanımaktadır. Themis’in kuruluş ve sona erme tarihleri için açık ve güvenilir bir zaman çizelgesi oluşturulmasını sağlamaktadır. Themis Leonideios ile ilgili daha önce yayımlanmış yazıtlar üzerinde bazı zorunlu düzeltmeler ve güncellemeler yapılmasını mümkün kılmaktadır.
Anahtar sözcükler: Antiochia, Dağlık Kilikia, Leonidas, Themis Leonideios, Pankration, Salvianus
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Mehmet OKTAN
Dr., Akdeniz University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Ancient Languages and Cultures, Antalya, Türkiye. mehmetoktan@akdeniz.edu.tr
Mehmet TEKOCAK
Prof. Dr., Selçuk University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Archaeology, Konya, Türkiye. mtekocak@yahoo.com