From an Epitaph to the Dedication of a Herm of Herakles

This paper provides a reassessment of an Imperial-era base from Serres, Macedonia, whose interpretations by the previous editors have been contentious, ranging from a dedication to the Roman deity Pales to an epitaph of a Roman veteran. Relying on a new reading of the stone and on a close examination of the relief adorning the base, this paper argues that the monument should rather be understood as the dedication of a bust in the shape of a small hermaic pillar depicting the hero Herakles. In addition to this (now lost) pillar, which is called Hermerakles in the inscription, Herakles was also depicted with his usual attributes in the relief carved on the front side of the base. The monument, which may have originally stood within the gymnasium of Serres, was erected by two professionals working in the field of theatrical performances (promisthotai) who were active in Macedonia, the one coming from Serres itself and the other possibly from the city of Lete.