Priene inscription of Alexander the Great

This article is about the dedicatory inscription put up by Alexander. For Alexander's edict inscribed by Lysimachus, see Alexander the Great's edict to Priene.

The Priene inscription is a dedicatory inscription by Alexander the Great, which was discovered at the Temple of Athena Polias in Priene (modern Turkey), in the nineteenth century. It now forms an important part of the British Museum's Ancient Greek epigraphic collection and provides a direct link to one of the most famous persons in ancient history. This inscription (circa 330 BC) is about the dedication of a temple by Alexander to Athena Polias, which has been held at the British Museum in London.

Priene inscription of Alexander the Great
Part of the Priene Inscription on display in the British Museum
Material	Marble
Size	120 cm wide and 49.5 cm high
Writing	Ancient Greek
Created	c.330 BC
Discovered	1868-9 Priene
Discovered by	Richard Popplewell Pullan
Present location	British Museum, London
Identification	1870,0320.88
Registration	1870,0320.88

Discovery

The inscription was found in the precincts of the temple in 1868–9 by the architect Richard Pullan, who at the time was leading an archaeological exploration of Priene on behalf of the Society of Dilettanti. The dedicatory inscription was found at the end of one of the temple's walls, together with records of the Prienean Civic Codes. Pullan brought back inscriptions, sculptures and architectural remains from the site to England, where they were immediately deposited in the national collection.

Background

Alexander the Great's army crossed the Hellespont in 334 BC and defeated the Persian army at the Battle of the Granicus; he then proceeded along the Ionian coast, touring cities and expelling Persian garrisons as he did so. At Priene he generously supported the completion of the temple of Athena Polias, which is recorded for posterity on this large marble block.

Description

The marble wall block is inscribed on both sides in the ancient Greek language. Part of the inscription records the gift of funds provided by Alexander to build the temple. Another part refers to a resolution of land disputes between different neighbouring kingdoms following the expulsion of the Persians.

Translation of the Inscription

Inscription:

ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΑΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟΣ ΑΝΕΘΗΚΕ ΤΟΝ ΝΑΟΝ ΑΘΗΝΑΙ ΠΟΛΙΑΔΙ

Translation:

King Alexander dedicated the Temple to Athena Polias

Further reading

• F. Frances (Ed), Treasures of the British Museum, London, 1972
• B.F. Cook, Greek inscriptions (London, The British Museum Press, 1987)
• I. Jenkins, Greek Architecture and its Sculpture, The British Museum Press, 2006