Dedicatory inscribed plaque found in 1897 in the Sanctuary of Apollo Hypoakraios.

The plaque is almost square with a band around its frame through which two drills have been opened in order to facilitate the plaque’s adjustment on another surface. The band delineates the space of the relief myrtle wreath within which the text is inscribed. The dense wreath leaves alternate symmetrically with stems and fruits. At the top the branches’ edges overlap with each other and at the bottom are tied in a small knot.

To the right and left cut into the stone is the phrase ΑΓΑΘΗ ΤΥΧΗ, that is “By good fortune” and within the wreath Γ. ΙΟΥΛΙΟΣ ΜΗΤΡΟΔΩΡΟΣ ΜΑΡΑΘ ΘΕΣΜΟΘΕΤΗΣΑΣ ΑΠΟΛΛΩΝΙ ΥΠΟ ΜΑΚΡΑΙΣ ΑΝΕΘΗΚΕΝ, meaning "The Thesmothetes Gaius Julius Metrodorus from the municipality of Marathon dedicated this to Apollo ypo Makrais".

We do not know much about Gaius Julious Metrodorus, however, some researchers date the inscription earlier, in AD 14-37, and suggest that he is the first known Athenian citizen with the Roman name Julius.

In the cave of Apollo Hyppoakraios and its vicinity about seventy similar plaques have been retrieved. These plaques are a typical category of dedicatory inscriptions of the Roman period, spanning from the beginning of the 1st down to the middle of the 3rd centuries AD. The relief myrtle wreaths most possibly represent those worn by the Nine Archons during their annual appointment and symbolised their political and religious authority. The plaques appear to have been dedicated in mid-summer when the Archons’ and the secretary to the Thesmothetae offices came to an end. This practice most likely signified their transition to the office of the Areopagites since the former Archons became members of the Areopagus Council for life.