'Tryphon, son of Andromenos erected this.' Tanaïs / modern Rostov, 2nd c. AD
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Title
'Tryphon, son of Andromenos erected this.' Tanaïs / modern Rostov, 2nd c. AD
Description
Tryphon, the Tanaït regent of this small state north of the Azov, was a vassal of the Romans, but neither Rome nor, later, Constantinople were interested in abolishing the autonomy of the 'cross-breed' marchmen of Lake Maiotis, guardians of the remotest frontier of the 'Western' world.
The art of the relief is Greek, with oriental traits of the period. The iconography recalls that of the Hero-Horseman, whose cult was particularly widespread from the 1st to 3rd c. AD (most notably in Thrace). Tryphon's garb is barbarian, except for his chiton that flutters behind him. Indeed, 'Here we are a mix', as the poet Cavafy was to say. Such was this dynamic, borderland medley of half-breeds (known to the Byzantines as the Digenes, meaning 'of two clans – two opposed ethnic roots').
Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
The art of the relief is Greek, with oriental traits of the period. The iconography recalls that of the Hero-Horseman, whose cult was particularly widespread from the 1st to 3rd c. AD (most notably in Thrace). Tryphon's garb is barbarian, except for his chiton that flutters behind him. Indeed, 'Here we are a mix', as the poet Cavafy was to say. Such was this dynamic, borderland medley of half-breeds (known to the Byzantines as the Digenes, meaning 'of two clans – two opposed ethnic roots').
Hermitage Museum, St Petersburg
Original
Yes
Source
APAN Archive
© APAN
Yes
Key words
Don, river.
Hermitage, museum.
Horse-rider / Rider, riders.
Inscription / inscriptions.
Relief.
Roman period, Imperial age.
Russian Federation.
Sea of Azov.
Tanais, ancient city.