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34-531: Philopappos died in 116, and his death caused great grief to his sister Julia Balbilla , citizens of Athens and possibly to the imperial family. As a dedication to honor the memory of Philopappos, Balbilla with the citizens of Athens erected a tomb structure on Muses Hill ( Λόφος Μουσών ) near the Acropolis of Athens . His marble tomb monument is still known as the Philopappos (or Philopappou) Monument, and

68-670: A drawing made for Cyriacus, the appearance of the Column of Justinian is recorded for us, before it was dismantled by the Ottomans . He returned in 1426 after having visited Rhodes, Beirut, Damascus, Cyprus, Mytilene, Thessalonica, and other places. Pushed by a strong curiosity, he also bought a great number of documents which he used to write six volumes of Commentarii ("Commentaries"). The ravages of time have been unkind to Cyriacus's lifework, which he never published, but which fortunately circulated in manuscript and in copies of his drawings;

102-563: A luxurious life in Rome. This afforded Balbilla and her brother a traditional Greek education. The family later moved to Athens where Balbilla's father, Epiphanes, died in AD 92 of unknown causes. Capitolina then returned to Alexandria where she married Marcus Junius Rufus , a Roman politician. Capitolina spent her remaining years in Alexandria. Balbilla lived with her for a time then returned to

136-676: Is an inscription that states "King Antiochus son of King Antiochus". This inscription honors Antiochus IV and his late father, the last independent ruler of the Kingdom of Commagene , King Antiochus III Epiphanes . When Antiochus III died in 17, Commagene was annexed by the Roman Emperor Tiberius and became a part of the Roman Empire . Below the statue of Seleucus I, the founder of the Seleucid Empire from whom

170-435: Is traditionally published with the works of Balbilla, though the internal evidence suggests a different author. In the poem, Demo explains that Memnon has shown her special respect. In return, Demo offers the gift for poetry, as a gift to the hero. At the end of this epigram, she addresses Memnon, highlighting his divine status by recalling his strength and holiness. Internal evidence on the leg of Memnon suggests that this poem

204-744: The Commentarii were lost in the 1514 fire of the library of Alessandro Sforza and Costanza Varano in Pesaro . A series of Pizzicolli's manuscripts about Ancona was destroyed during a fire of the city's archives in 1532. He retired to Cremona , where he died in 1452, according to the Trotti manuscript, now held in the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan. Long after his death, some surviving texts were printed: Epigrammata reperta per Illyricum

238-625: The Morea , to Egypt , to Chios , Rhodes and Beirut , to Anatolia and Constantinople , during which he wrote detailed descriptions of monuments and ancient remains, illustrated by his drawings. His detailed on-site observations, particularly in lands of the Ottoman Empire , make him one of the precursors of modern archaeology . His accuracy as a meticulous epigrapher was praised by Giovanni Battista de Rossi . His years in Rome studying Latin are commemorated by his drawings of many of

272-665: The Commagene kings claimed descent, stood another inscription, now lost. The traveller Cyriacus of Ancona wrote in his memoir that underneath the inscription stated "King Seleucus Nicator, son of Antiochus". The monument measures 9.80 by 9.30 metres (32.2 ft × 30.5 ft), and contains Philopappos' burial chamber. The structure is built of white Pentelic marble on a socle 3.08 metres (10.1 ft) high, made of porous marble and veneered with slabs of Hymettian marble. The north side of Philopappos' monument bears lavish architectural decorations. Prior to modern excavations,

306-500: The Fabian tribe, consul and Arval brother, admitted to the praetorian rank by the emperor Caesar Nerva Trajan Optimus Augustus Germanicus Dacicus". On the right niche of Philopappos once stood a Greek inscription (now only the base is preserved): Βασιλεύς Αντίοχος Φιλόπαππος Βασιλέως Επιφανούς Αντιόχου ("King Antiochus Philopappos, son of King Antiochus Epiphanes"). Below the statue of Antiochus IV, Philopappos' paternal grandfather,

340-516: The Wise and King Antiochus; Balbillus, the father of my mother of royal blood and King Antiochus, the father of my father. From their line I too draw my noble blood, and these verses are mine, pious Balbilla. After her poetry, no more is known about Balbilla. A fourth epigram, in elegiac couplets, entitled and perhaps authored by a certain " Demo " or "Damo" is a dedication to the Muses . The poem

374-475: The base. The Philopappos Monument was apparently still intact in 1436, when the traveller Ciriaco de' Pizzicolli visited the monument and wrote in his memoirs that the monument was still intact. The destruction of the monument must have occurred after this time. 37°58′03″N 23°43′16″E  /  37.967427°N 23.721183°E  / 37.967427; 23.721183 Julia Balbilla Julia Balbilla ( Greek : Ἰουλία Βαλβίλλα, AD 72 – after AD 130)

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408-520: The beautiful Sabina might come back here again. For the lovely form of our queen pleases you. When she arrives, send forth a divine shout, so the king won't be angry with you. As it is now, you've fearlessly detained for too long his noble wedded wife. And Memnon, trembling at the power of Hadrian, suddenly spoke, and she rejoiced to hear it. Balbilla dedicates the third epigram to her parents and grandfathers and to her noble bloodline. For pious were my parents and grandfathers: Balbillus

442-466: The city, shows the high position Philopappos had within Athenian society. Philopappos' monument is a two-story structure, supported by a base. On the lower level there is a frieze representing Philopappos as a consul , riding on a chariot and led by lictors . The upper level shows statues of three men: of Antiochus IV on the left, of Philopappos in the centre and of Seleucus I Nicator , now lost, on

476-547: The founding father of modern classical archeology. " Unlike many library antiquarians, Cyriacus traveled at first for his family's ventures, then to satisfy his own curiosity, all around the Eastern Mediterranean, noting down his archaeological discoveries in his day-book, Commentaria, that eventually filled seven volumes. He made numerous voyages in Southern Italy , Dalmatia and Epirus and into

510-465: The hill is today known as Philopappou Hill ( Λόφος Φιλοπάππου ). The Greek geographer Pausanias describes Philopappos' grand tomb as a monument built for a Syrian man . The monument was built on the same site where Mousaios or Musaeus , a 6th-century BC priestly poet and mystical seer, was held to have been buried. The location of this tomb, opposite the Acropolis and within formal boundaries of

544-656: The home of her brother, Philopappos, in Athens. Despite her aristocratic life, Balbilla's status in Rome may not have been secure as her father was not a senator. However, Philopappos did become a senator, serving as a consul until AD 109. When Philopappos died in AD 116, Balbilla built for him a burial monument, the Philopappos Monument , on Musaios Hill, south-west of the Acropolis in Athens . Later, Balbilla married an aristocrat in Athens with no issue. Balbilla

578-470: The household of her paternal grandfather, Antiochus IV. Prior to Balbilla's birth, Vespasian had ordered Antiochus IV to abdicate the throne of Commagene because of his alleged disloyalty to Rome. Antiochus IV and his brother, Callinicus , were accused of colluding with the Kingdom of Parthia against Rome. It is unknown whether these accusations were true. Vespasian gave Antiochus IV sufficient revenue for

612-567: The king of all, before rays of the sun, he greeted him - as far as he was able. But when the Titan driving through the heavens with his steeds of white, brought into shadow the second measure of hours, like ringing bronze Memnon again sent out his voice. Sharp-toned, he sent out his greeting and for a third time a mighty roar. The emperor Hadrian then himself bid welcome to Memnon and left on stone for generations to come. This inscription recounting all that he saw and all that he heard. It

646-586: The love of songs and a liking for the Muses . The first and second epigrams tell the story of a mythical king of Ethiopia , Memnon , killed by Achilles at Troy , whom the god Zeus made immortal. Balbilla is not addressing Memnon but is flattering Hadrian and Sabina. When the August Hadrian Heard Memnon Memnon the Egyptian I learnt, when warmed by the rays of the sun, speaks from Theban stone. When he saw Hadrian,

680-489: The monument and in 1899 conservation work was undertaken. In 1940, archaeologists H. A. Thompson and J. Travlos conducted small additional excavations. Recent investigations have certified that architectural parts of Philopappos' Monument were used for construction of the minaret in the Parthenon under the Ottomans . Only two-thirds of the façade remains. The tomb chamber behind the façade is completely destroyed except for

714-596: The monuments and antiquities of ancient Rome. In Constantinople he studied Greek. He enjoyed the patronage of Eugenius IV , who had been Papal legate in the March of Ancona from 1420 to 1422, Cosimo de' Medici , and the Visconti of Milan . He was in Siena at the court of Sigismund , and when Sigismund came to Rome for his coronation as Emperor, Cyriacus was his guide among Rome's antiquities. Two years later in 1435, Cyriacus

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748-489: The most notable description of the monument was a drawing of the monument originating from the 13 century AD by Cyriacus from Ancona (1391-1452). Cyriacus, a travelling merchant, provided illustrations along with written letters to correspond with the verbal descriptions of what he saw in his travels. These primary anecdotes serve as evidence of how the structures appeared in the past, before they were either removed or deteriorated further. In 1898, excavations were carried out at

782-444: The penalty, with a wretched death struck by the same sword point with which pitiless he slew the divine Apis. But I do not believe that this statue of yours will perish, I saved your immortal spirit forever with my mind. For my parents were noble, and my grandfathers, the wise Balbillus and Antiochus the king. When on the first day We didn't hear Memnon Yesterday Memnon received [Hadrian's] wife in silence, so that

816-514: The right. In the niche below Philopappos is an inscription in Greek : Φιλόπαππος Επιφάνους Βησαιεύς ("Philopappos, son of Epiphanes of the deme of the Besa"). This was the name Philopappos carried as an Athenian citizen. In the niche left of Philopappos, a Latin inscription records Philopappos' titles, honors and his career as a Roman magistrate : "Caius Iulius Antiochus Philopappos, son of Caius, of

850-558: The sculptures on Mount Nemrut and the mausoleum of her ancestor, Antiochus I Theos of Commagene , the descendants of whom she references in her poems. Although the epigrammata were approved public inscriptions, in honor of the Roman imperial family, they are somewhat akin to graffiti . They have elements of wit, history and mythology written in an Homeric tone. The poems display good use of metaphors , verbal and sound echoes. Inspired by Sappho , Balbilla also used traditional lyric themes:

884-408: Was Prefect of Egypt from AD 55 to 59. Balbilus and his father, Thrasyllus of Mendes (Tiberius Claudius Thrasyllus), a grammarian and astrologer were friends of the first Roman emperors including Tiberius , Claudius and Vespasian . Balbilla's paternal grandparents, Antiochus IV of Commagene and Queen Julia Iotapa were puppet rulers under Rome. Balbilla was born and raised in Rome in

918-525: Was a Roman noble woman and poet. Whilst in Thebes , touring Egypt as part of the imperial court of Hadrian, she inscribed three epigrams which have survived. Balbilla's family were well-connected members of the royal family of the Kingdom of Commagene , a principality in what is now Turkey which was annexed by the Roman Empire . As well as Egyptian and Greek elements, Balbilla's ancestry included Armenian , Median , Syrian and Seleucian lines. Balbilla

952-717: Was a court poet and friend of Hadrian and companion or lady in waiting to his wife, Vibia Sabina . In AD 129, she accompanied them to the Valley of the Kings in Ancient Egypt . Balbilla was commissioned to record the party's return visit from 19 to 21 November 130. Balbilla inscribed three epigrams in Aeolic Greek , known as ' epigrammata ', on the legs of the Colossi of Memnon . The statue may have reminded Balbilla of

986-591: Was a restlessly itinerant Italian humanist and antiquarian who came from a prominent family of merchants in Ancona , a maritime republic on the Adriatic . He has been called the Father of Archaeology : " Cyriac of Ancona was the most enterprising and prolific recorder of Greek and Roman antiquities, particularly inscriptions, in the fifteenth century, and the general accuracy of his records entitles him to be called

1020-477: Was back exploring in Greece and Egypt. He was probably the first traveler who recognized the importance of the ruins of Eretria . On 5 April 1436, he described and sketched a plan of the ancient city walls, indicating the position of the theatre and the fortifications of the acropolis and mentioning the existence of inscriptions. He collected a great store of inscriptions, manuscripts, and other antiquities. Through

1054-540: Was clear to all that the gods love him. When with the August Sabina I Stood Before Memnon Memnon, son of Aurora and holy Tithon, seated before Thebes, city of Zeus, or Amenoth, Egyptian King, as learned. Priests recount from ancient stories, greetings, and singing, welcome her kindly, the August wife of the emperor Hadrian. A barbarian man cut off your tongue and ears: Impious Cambyses; but he paid

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1088-461: Was the first born child of Antiochus IV of Commagene and Julia Iotapa of Commagene. Both Antiochus IV and Iotapa were descendants of Antiochus I Theos. Balbilla's maternal grandfather, after whom she was named, was Tiberius Claudius Balbilus , a Greek of Egyptian descent. He was an astrologer and a learned scholar. He became one of the highest ranking magistrates of the Equestrian order and

1122-516: Was the second child of Gaius Julius Archelaus Antiochus Epiphanes and Claudia Capitolina , a Greek woman born in Alexandria . Her older brother was Gaius Julius Antiochus Epiphanes Philopappos , one of the first men of eastern descent to become consul at Rome. Balbilla's parents were distant cousins. Claudia Capitolina's paternal grandmother was Aka II of Commagene, the great-granddaughter of Antiochus I Theos of Commagene . Balbilla's father,

1156-566: Was written at some point in or after AD 196. Demo Son of Aurora, I greet you. For you addressed me kindly, Memnon, for the sake of the Pierides, who care for me, song-loving Demo. And bearing a pleasant gift, my lyre will always sing of your strength, holy one. Except where otherwise noted, the notes below indicate that an individual's parentage is as shown in the above family tree. Ciriaco de%27 Pizzicolli Cyriacus of Ancona or Ciriaco de' Pizzicolli (31 July 1391 – 1452)

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