Inscriptions which mention Plutarch

The last century has uncovered three inscriptions which seem to refer to Plutarch. The first is interesting as the only bit of evidence for Plutarch's full name and the proof that he was a Roman citizen. The second two are bases of statues, the first erected in Delphi, the second in Chaironeia. Unfortunately the statues themselves do not survive, although some have maintained that a bust found on the same site in Delphi is the original head of Plutarch.

CIG 1713 = DittenburgerSyll3 829.

Translation

The Amphictyonic counsel honors Emperor Caesar Trajan Hadrian Augustus, son of the divine Trajan Parthicus, grandson of the divine Nerva. Mestrius Plutarch the priest officiated as curator from Delphi.

Plutarch tells us that he was a priest at Delphi for many years (Moralia 792F), but throughout his extensive writings Plutarch does not mention his Roman citizenship. The name "Mestrius" indicates that he had been given his citizenship by his friend L. Mestrius Florus. Some scholars believe that Plutarch deliberately did not mention his citizenship because he resented Roman rule. Others, including myself, believe that Roman citizenship was so banal it did not even occur to Plutarch to mention it.

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Statue Base at Delphi (DittenburgerSyll3 843A)

Translation

The people of Delphi together with the Chaironeians set up [this statue of] Plutarch
in accordance with the Amphictrion precepts.

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Statue base at Chaironeia (DittenburgerSyll3 843B)

Translation

Philinus dedicated to the gods [this statue of] Plutarch the benefactor

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