Ex voto of Daochos, Marble sculpture group at Delphi Archaeological Site, Greece
The Ex voto of Daochos is a marble monument consisting of a long base that once held nine standing figures, eight depicting family members and one showing Apollo. Each statue carried an inscription identifying the person and describing their accomplishments.
Daochos II, a politician from Pharsalus and supporter of Macedonia, commissioned this monument while serving as hieromnemon at the Delphic sanctuary between 336 and 332 BCE. The construction date reflects his position of power and influence in the region at that time.
The inscriptions tell stories of family members seeking public recognition for their accomplishments in athletic competitions and political life in Thessaly. They reveal how people of that era used monuments to display their status and achievements to visitors passing through the sanctuary.
The monument is located behind the column featuring the Dancers of Athens within the archaeological site complex at Delphi. It stands along the main pathways through the sanctuary, making it easy to find while exploring the ruins.
Remarkably, the ninth statue was reserved for Daochos II's young son even though he had accomplished nothing yet to record on his inscription. This reveals how the family used the monument not just to celebrate past achievements but also to secure their heir's place in history.
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