Βronze inscribed plaque from the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia. 300-250 B.C.

The plaque contains an honorary decree passed by the Eleians for the wrestler Demokrates, who won in the men’s wrestling at the Olympic Games. Τhe athlete was proclaimed benefactor and was granted exemption from tax, the right to own land in the region of Elis and to participate in festivals and sacrifices. Τhis decree was to be inscribed on a bronze plaque and set up in the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia, and t be sent to the Tenedians, Demokrates’ fellows. In the triangular pediment the symbols of the island of Tenedos and the god Dionysos, a bunch of grapes and two double axes. By means of such a tool they used to slaughter a young calf at their festivals in honour of Dionysos. From it everyone had to eat in order to ingest the god himself.