In the Nymph's Home

Robert S. Wagman (University of Florida)

This paper examines the text of an epigram carved on the outer wall of a cave southwest of ancient Pharsalus, SEG 1, 1923, 248. The site, which once housed a cult of the Nymphs dating back to the 6^th century BCE, was partially excavated by the Italian Archaeological School in the early 1920’s (ASAA 6-7, 1922-1924), pp.27-42, pls.1-51). After a hiatus of almost a century, the Classics Department of the University of Florida has now resumed exploration of the cave as part of its ongoing survey project in central Thessaly. In the early stages of the project, special attention has been given to the metrical text inscribed near the cave’s entrance. Once restored correctly, this inscription (line 7) makes reference to a doma, or ‘building’, containing various kinds of votives dedicated to the deities of the cave. Doma is a term widely used in in both Epic and Epigrammatic poetry to indicate a cave inhabited by Nymphs (e.g. Od. 5, 6, §n d≈masi nÊmfhw). In this particular case, however, the reference may be to a rudimentary architectural structure which appears to have been annexed to the cave proper. Fragments of rooftiles were noted by the early visitors to the site in the small terrace below the cave entrance. As the interior of the cave was occupied in antiquity by a small stream, it seems perfectly plausible that a subsidiary roof was added to house the basic functions of the cult. The fact that the majority of the votive material was found outside the cave (ASAA 6-7, p.31) confirms this hypothesis. Through a detailed examination of the epigraphical and the archaeological evidence retrieved at the site, this paper offers thus a new reconstruction of the cave of the Nymphs near Pharsalus which challenges some traditionally held views about the use of caves in Greek popular religion.