Еxhibit of the month – October 2026

ALTAR WITH A DEDICATION TO APOLLO KENDRISOS

Plovdiv (Philippopolis), 2nd century AD

H. – 32 cm, W. – 20 cm, D. – 18 cm

Marble altar with a text in Ancient Greek dedicated to Apollo Kendrisos. The temple of Apollo Kendrisos stood on what is now Dzhendem Tepe hill in Plovdiv. The altar is dedicated to the patron deity of Philippopolis by Bithys, son of Kotys, who served as priest of the Syrian Goddess (Atargatis). The dedication dates to the first half of the 2nd century AD. During this period, many Eastern cults spread into Thrace, brought by migrants from Asia Minor. This monument is the only securely attested monument of the cult of the Syrian Goddess in the province of Thrace known to date. Atargatis was venerated in northern Syria, but her priest in Philippopolis bore Thracian names rather than being a migrant from the eastern provinces.

Text: Ἀπόλλωνι Κενδρισῳ Βειθυς Κοτυος ἱερεὺς Συρίας θεᾶς δῶρον ἀνέθηκεν.

Translation: To Apollo Kendrisos, Bithys, son of Kotys, priest of the Syrian Goddess, dedicated this gift.

NAIM-BAS, Inv. No. 2617; IGBulg III, 1961. 918