A transfer of sacred lands from eastern Phocis, IG IX 1, 87

Abstract This paper presents a lengthy inscription from eastern Phocis containing details of the transfer of plots of land to the sacred estates of Artemis and Apollo. The area described extends over a minimum of 720 plethra but includes plots varying from only one or two plethra up to 300 plethra. Entries list the transferred land by recording the neighbouring estates to the east and west. Therefore, the sacred estate constitutes a corridor running broadly north and south. Indicators both archaeological and epigraphic suggest that the sacred estate lay at the western end of the Exarchos valley, and are consistent with the traditional identification of Abae, Hyampolis and Kalapodi as the sanctuary of Artemis Elaphebolos. The land, it is suggested, was transferred to the gods in exchange for a permanent lease, and represents an élite strategy for protecting property during the tumultuous early Hellenistic period.

Keywords Phocis, sacred land, sacred animals, land allotments, leases