Biography
of Chrestion
- Chrestion is attested as a member of a Mithraic community (syndexios).
- Attested in the 3rd century.
- Attested in Apulum, Dacia superior, Dacia in 2nd – 3rd century (TNMM 666).
TNMP 234
Chrestion and Dioscorus are liberti from the Greek-speaking part of the Empire, who were probably actively involved in the commercial life of the conurbation.
Chrestion is strongly linked to Dioscorus not only because of the Greek name, but also thanks to the altar dedicated to Mithras which surely comes from the same workshop, having a corresponding epigraphic style, the name of Mithras is identical in both (Mythra) and they were both discovered in 1852, probably in the same archaeological context. The altar is decorated with symbolic representations on the sides, urceus (on the left) and a patera
References
- Csaba Szabó (2013) Microregional manifestation of a private cult. The Mithraic Community of Apulum.
- Epigraphic Database Heidelberg. Altar of Chrestion from Alba Iulia in EDH.
- Alfred Shenington Geden. Altar of Chrestion from Alba Iulia in EDCS.
- Philippe Roy & Laurent Bricault (2021) Les cultes de Mithra dans l’Empire romain.
Attestations
Altar of Chrestion from Alba Iulia
TNMM 666
In 1852, Károly Pap, a naval captain, unearthed several Mithraic monuments in his garden at Marospartos, including this altar.
Invicto / Mythir/ae Chr/estion / v[otum] s[olvit].
To the invincible Mythra, Chrestion has fulfilled his vow.
