Collection: Athens, Acropolis Museum
Title: Alkimachos Column
Context: From Athens, Acropolis
Findspot: Found at Athens, Acropolis (two fragments were found between the Erechtheion and the Propylaia, and another near the museum).
Summary: Votive Ionic column support
Object Function: Votive?
Material: Marble
Sculpture Type: Stele, inscribed
Category: Separated fragments
Style: High Archaic
Technique: In-the-round
Original or Copy: Original
Date: ca. 520 BC
Dimensions: H. (restored) 1.017 m; Diam. (above) 0.23 m; Diam. (below) 0.26 m; W. flutes 0.04 m. Capital: H. 0.20 m; W. 0.28 m; L. (restored) 0.64 m. Socket: L. (restored) 0.42 m; W. 0.23 m
Scale: Large
Region: Attica
Period: High Archaic

Form & Style: The column base consists of an Ionic capital, with painted volutes superimposed on a molding (mostly chipped off), on a narrow, fluted shaft.

Condition: Fragmentary

Condition Description: The column, as displayed, is comprised of several fragments preserving part of the top of the shaft, and most of the capital, including remnants of painted decoration on the volutes. The fragment has been rejoined with a related piece, formerly Athens, EM 6387.

Material Description: Gray island marble (?)

Inscription: The column bears a retrograde inscription, in two lines, as follows: *A*L*K*I*M*A*X*O*S *M'*A*N*E[*S]*Q*E*K*E *D*I*O*S *K*O*R*E*I* T*O*D' *A*G*A*L*M*A*E*U*X*O*L*E*N *E*S*Q*L*O *D*E *P*A*T*R*O*S *H*U*S *X*A*I*R*I*O*N*O*S *E*P*E*U*X*E*T*A*I N*A[*I], "Alkimachos erected me--this statue--to the daugher of Zeus as a vow; but he boasts that he is the son of Chairion, a noble father."

Other Notes: Raubitschek suggested that this statue base supported the statue of a scribe, Athens, Acropolis 629, because Alkimachos' father, Chairion, was one of the Treasurers of Athena.

Sources Used: Brouskari 1974, 52, fig. 93; Raubitschek 1949, 10-12 no. 6 (with additional bibliography)