Una menzione di Atena Ἀρχηγέτις in P.Hib. I 15. Note sull’epiteto e sul suo impiego ad Atene

A mention of Athena in P.Hib. I 15 provides an opportunity to trace the history of her epithet archegetis, which is attested in the literary and epigraphic sources from the late 5th century BC to the Roman Imperial Age. From the end of the 3rd century BC onwards, archegetis occasionally appears outside Athens in association with the names of other goddesses (at Magnesia, Xanthos, Ephesos, Samos, Attaleia, Myra, etc.). The aim of this paper is to collect and reconsider the available evidence concerning the epithet archegetis in order to define its meaning and functions, paying special attention to the Athenian context. In general, the epithet seems to invest goddesses with an identitarian character, usually emphasising a stage of political or religious change or renewal.