Epimenes of Seuthopolis as a Possible Physician in the Odrysian Royal Court
Epimenes of Seuthopolis as a Possible Physician in the Odrysian Royal Court

Summary/Abstract: This article examines what is known about Epimenes, the most enigmatic person in the so-called “Great Inscription” of Seuthopolis (IGBulg., III/2: no. 1731). It is pointed out that he is not known from other sources and everything about him is derived entirely from the text of this inscription. A number of hypotheses regarding Epimenes’ personality have been proposed over the decades since the inscription’s discovery, as most of them consider him a person with military and political power or a temple servant. Based on a new analysis of the available information, this article proposes an interpretation of Epimenes as a possible physician in the Odrysian royal court. This hypothesis fits well with the content of the inscription and at the same time is in full accordance with the realities of the early Hellenistic period.

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