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382:, near to which stands an eagle. The figure to his right is usually identified as Apollo's mother, Leto, or as his sister, Artemis. Some scholars identify Artemis as the third figure from the left, while others identify it as Hermes, Leto, Rhapso, or an unidentified youth. The two figures of a smaller scale are almost unanimously identified as Xenokrateia and her son, Xeniades, since Greek art usually depict humans as smaller than deities. The figure who interacts with Xenokrateia and her son is usually identified as either Kephisos or merely a priest.
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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.
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she was a widow or maybe that she was not legally married, Kron believes she was an heiress who did not need a guardian, and Purvis suggests that
Xenokrateia was married to Kephisodotos, who dedicated the other relief mentioned earlier. Cook, however, claims Xenokrateia was the wife of Xeniades, and that she dedicated the relief “as daughter (before her marriage) and mother (after it).”
311:. The attributes of the figures on the relief must have been painted on rather than carved, since otherwise they would make less sense to the visitors of the sanctuary. Most scholars assume that the two figures in the smaller scale are Xenokrateia and her son, and that she is introducing him to Kephisos, so that the god may oversee the boy's growth to adulthood.
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of birth, and Rhapso. This is an interesting list, as most of these deities were perceived as nurturing and protecting children. Unfortunately, this list cannot represent the gods in our relief, since while the relief depicts five gods and six goddesses, the stele names three gods and nine goddesses,
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The main problem regarding this relief is the identification of the thirteen figures portrayed on it. Unfortunately, most of the figures lack attributes, thus they cannot be identified with certainty, and scholars vary in their opinions in this regard, since such little secure evidence leaves a great
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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
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Thus, most of the suggestions identify
Xenokrateia and her son in this relief and attempt to match to them the relevant deities. However, there is one interpretation that deviates from this line of thought. Stais claims that this relief depicts the mythological participants of the Athenian myth of
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Next is the double relief of
Kephisodotos, also dated to 410 BCE. On one side it depicts the hero Acheloos, kidnapping a nymph whose name is inscribed as Iasila, while Hermes is leading the chariot. On the other side, Kephisos, depicted as a horned god, stands in the middle. On the right are three
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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
410:, to ask why they cannot have children, she is reunited with her son. Following this myth, Stais identified the first three figures as Apollo, his mother, Leto, and his sister, Artemis, while recognizing the next five figures as the participants of this myth: the
324:, and it is understood by some as the sacrificial regulation of the sanctuary. However, since there is no mention of a cult, a sacrifice, or any instructions, others consider this stele as another votive offering. The names inscribed upon the stele are
414:, who was Apollo's priestess, Ion, Xuthus, Hermes, and Creusa. Next he identifies three nymphs and Eileithyia. Finally he believes that the bull-like deity is Kephisos, thus connecting the myth of Ion to the locality of the sanctuary.
189:. 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
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In order to decipher the composition of the
Xenokrateia Relief and to identify the figures portrayed on it, scholars use the two other finds from the site. The first is an inscribed stele with names of some divinities in the
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nymphs and on the left appear two other unidentified figures. The inscription says it is a dedication to Hermes and the nymphs, thus demonstrating that there were even more divinities associated with this sanctuary.
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was raped by Apollo and gave birth to his son, Ion, whom she exposed to the elements. He was rescued by Apollo, however, and guided to Delphi by Hermes. Years later, when Creusa arrived to Delphi with her husband,
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assuming that there are three
Geraistian nymphs, since nymphs are usually depicted in groups of three in Athenian art. However, some of the deities named on the stele might also appear on our relief.
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There is a great uncertainty regarding the next five figures, and there are many possible identifications for them, namely Hestia, Eileithyia, Leto, Rhapso, nymphs or river-gods such as
Kephisos or
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room for hypothesis and guesswork. For example, while it is clear that the third figure from the left is holding an object, it is unclear what it is. It was identified as a
197:. 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
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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.
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389:. Finally, of the two figures on the far right, the one on the top is understood to be Kallirhoe or a statue of hers, although some suggest it is Eileithyia or
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There is no other mention of this nymph in Greek mythology, so it is assumed that this nymph is the nymph Basila, who is known from other sources.
526:Βουτυράς, Ε. “Φροντίσματα: Το ανάγλυφο της Ξενοκράτειας και το ιερό του Κηφισού στο Νέο Φάληρο.” εν Δεληβορριάς Ά., Δεσπίνης, Γ. και Ζαρκάδας Ά.
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Guarducci, M. “L'offerta di
Xenokrateia nel sanctuario di Cefiso al Falero.” in Bradeen D. W., and McGregor M. F. (eds.).
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The one certain identification on the Xenokrateia relief is the figure on the far left. This is the god
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Lawton, C.L. “Children in Classical Attic Votive Reliefs.” in Cohen, Ada, and Rutter, Jeremy B.
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Kron, Uta. “Priesthoods, Dedication, and Euergetism.” in Hellstrom, P. and Alroth, B. (eds.).
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500:Σταης, Β., “Άναθηματιχον άνάγλυφον έκ Φαλήρου,” Αρχαιολογική Εφημερίς, (1909). pp. 239-264.
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Beschi, L. “Culti stranieri e fondazioni private nell'Attica classica: alcuni casi.” in
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van Straten, F. “Votives and Votaries in Greek Sanctuaries.” in Schachter, Albert .
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Annuario della Scuola Archeologica di Atene e delle Missioni Italiane in Oriente
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Annuario della Scuola Archeologica di Atene e delle Missioni Italiane in Oriente
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Walter, O. “Die Reliefs aus dem Heiligtum der Echeliden in Neu Phaleron.” in
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McClees, H., A study of women in Attic inscriptions, (New York, 1920), p. 28.
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with Athens proper, around the walls’ intersection point with the bed of the
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Guarducci, M. “Le iscrizioni del santuario di Cefiso presso il Falero.” in
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Cook, A.B., Zeus. A Study in Ancient Religion. (New York, 1964). p. 183.
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The relief marks the foundation of a local sanctuary to the river god
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river. It is dated on stylistic grounds to 410 BCE, and is made of
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Purvis, A., Singular Dedications. (New York, 2003). p. 30.
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Purvis, A., Singular Dedications. (New York, 2003). p. 31.
307:, who weave the destinies of men, and as a torch held by
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van Straten, F. “Gifts for the Gods.” in Versnel, H.S.
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Sculpture in the National Archaeological Museum, Athens
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Constructions of Childhood in Ancient Greece and Italy
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Linfert, A. “Die Deutung des Xenokrateiareliefs.” in
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516:. 1923-1924, vol. LXXXIII, no. 2. pp. 567–584.
49:. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
640:Guide du Musée National. Marbres, bronzes et vases
178:, while the pillar on which it stands is made of
659:Σταης, Β. “Άναθηματιχον άνάγλυφον έκ Φαλήρου.”
267:whoever wishes, is permitted to sacrifice for
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598:Religion and Power in the Ancient Greek World
565:. 1949-1951, vol. XI-XIII. pp. 117–133.
163:, which in Antiquity connected the harbor of
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547:Δραγουμης, Σ.Ν. “Αρχαιολογικά φροντίσματα.”
512:Anti, C. “Appunti di esegesi figurate.” in
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633:Art in Athens During the Peloponnesian War
556:Greek Votive Reliefs to Pan and the Nymphs
523:. 2002, vol. LXXX, III.2. pp. 13–42.
264:and the mother of Xeniades of Choleidai,
254:to and to the gods who share this altar
109:Learn how and when to remove this message
147:The relief, currently on display at the
621:. 1967, vol. LXXXII, pp. 149–157.
427:
1190:National Archaeological Museum, Athens
626:A study of women in Attic inscriptions
570:Φόρος: Tribute to Benjamin Dean Meritt
542:Girls and Women in Classical Religion
514:Atti dell’Instituto Veneto di Scienze
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1225:Archaeological discoveries in Attica
248:Xenokrateia to Kephisos a sanctuary
47:adding citations to reliable sources
299:, as a loom, claiming that this is
614:. Princeton, 2007. pp. 41–60.
600:. Uppsala, 1993. pp. 139–182.
14:
677:. Genèva, 1992. pp. 247–284.
572:. New York, 1974. pp. 57–66.
535:Zeus. A Study in Ancient Religion
437:, Perseus Digital Library Catalog
401:, in which the Athenian princess
1051:Group of Aphrodite, Pan and Eros
978:Funerary naiskos of Aristonautes
767:
691:. 1937, vol. l, pp. 97–119.
670:. Leiden, 1981. pp. 65–151.
647:Polytheism and Society at Athens
584:Sur trois bas-reliefs de Phalère
159:in 1908, in the area inside the
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1210:1908 archaeological discoveries
1205:5th-century BC Greek sculptures
270:the fulfillment of good things
234:ίας τόδε δῶρον, Ξενιάδο θυγάτ-
34:needs additional citations for
739:National Archaeological Museum
605:Greek Nymphs: Myth, Cult, Lore
558:. PhD Dissertation. NYU, 1985.
530:. Αθήνα, 2011. pp. 49–58.
149:National Archaeological Museum
144:by a woman named Xenokrateia.
1:
1185:Sculptures of women in Greece
983:Funerary Stela of Demokleides
435:"Athens, NM 2756 (Sculpture)"
231:ξυνβώμοις τε θεοῖς διδασκαλ-
348:, Kallirohe, the Geraistian
1180:Sculptures of men in Greece
1175:Marble sculptures in Greece
251:has founded and dedicated
237:ηρ καὶ μήτηρ ἐκ Χολλειδῶν,
16:5th-century BC Greek relief
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682:Das Athener Nationalmuseum
155:(NAMA 2756), was found in
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663:. 1909. pp. 239–264.
551:. 1911. pp. 214–222.
378:, resting his legs on an
228:ὸν ἱδρύσατο καὶ ἀνέθηκεν
225:Ξενοκράτεια Κηφισο̑ ἱερ-
668:Faith, Hope, and Worship
577:Griechischen Weihreliefs
295:, meaning the figure is
240:θύεν τῶι βουλομένωι ἐπὶ
1056:Heracles of Antikythera
993:Great Eleusinian Relief
837:Grave stelai of Mycenae
819:Wall Paintings of Thera
689:Ephemeris Archaiologike
619:Mitteilungen Athenische
357:The Kephisodotos Relief
895:Dedication of Nikandre
737:Major exhibits at the
418:References and sources
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125:The Xenokrateia Relief
1109:Aphrodite of Syracuse
1041:Antikythera mechanism
988:Grave Stele of Hegeso
814:Akrotiri Boxer Fresco
702:The Greek inscription
661:Αρχαιολογική Εφημερίς
549:Αρχαιολογική Εφημερίς
212:Original Greek text (
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1215:Sculptures of Apollo
1195:Sculptures in Athens
1061:Jockey of Artemision
684:. Atene, 1908- 1911.
654:Singular Dedications
593:. Los Angeles, 2002.
528:Έπαινος Luigi Beschi
219:English translation
58:"Xenokrateia Relief"
43:improve this article
905:Dipylon inscription
340:Lochia (of birth),
315:The Inscribed Stele
1091:Themis of Rhamnous
1076:Mithridates relief
1023:Xenokrateia Relief
973:Antikythera Ephebe
796:Spool-shaped pyxis
675:Le Sanctuaire Grec
635:. Cambridge, 2009.
131:Xenokrateia Relief
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1134:Hermes Criophorus
1086:Poseidon of Melos
1071:Lycosoura Demeter
1066:Lycosoura Artemis
1013:Nike of Epidaurus
955:Stele of Aristion
885:Artemision Bronze
842:Mask of Agamemnon
656:. New York, 2003.
628:. New York, 1920.
537:. New York, 1964.
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940:Pitsa panels
925:Lemnos stele
862:Warrior Vase
857:Theseus Ring
852:Nestor's Cup
791:Frying pan 2
786:Frying pan 1
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631:Palagia, O.
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41:Please help
36:verification
33:
1033:Hellenistic
652:Purvis, A.
645:Parker, R.
540:Dillon, M.
533:Cook, A.B.
366:The Imagery
322:dative case
214:IG II² 4548
157:Neo Phaliro
99:August 2016
1164:Categories
1129:Diadumenos
423:References
342:Eileithyia
286:The relief
161:Long Walls
69:newspapers
1046:Aristonoe
965:Classical
829:Mycenaean
751:Neolithic
332:Pythios,
293:kerykeion
180:limestone
778:Cycladic
380:Omphalos
346:Acheloos
187:Kephisos
173:Pentelic
169:Kephisos
142:Kephisos
890:Daidala
872:Archaic
507:Sources
338:Artemis
309:Artemis
193:and an
165:Piraeus
83:scholar
1008:Myrtis
806:Minoan
743:Athens
412:Pythia
408:Xuthos
403:Creusa
391:Hecate
387:Ilisos
376:tripod
372:Apollo
350:nymphs
330:Apollo
326:Hestia
305:Moirai
301:Rhapso
297:Hermes
176:marble
153:Athens
135:marble
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199:stele
195:altar
133:is a
90:JSTOR
76:books
334:Leto
129:The
62:news
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399:Ion
151:in
45:by
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