Delos (Southwestern islands, Aegean Islands — Pleiades map), 153/152, or 149/148 BCE
AGRW 224 = IDelos 1520 = Tod 1934, 140-159 (no. 1) = PHI 63956 = AGRW ID# 1576
Copenhagen Inventory info: 9

(Lines 1-5) For good fortune! When . . . Name was civic leader (archōn) . . . decision of the association (koinon) of Berytian Poseidon-devotees (Poseidoniasts) consisting of merchants (emporoi), shippers (naulēroi), and warehouse-workers (egdocheis). Since the synod (synodos) was in need of one who would contribute towards the completion of the building (oikos) and towards the payment of the common funds for the synod. In order that not only the things which were decreed would be completed properly, but also that others, observing how easy it is to deal with the synod, may themselves contribute towards what is advantageous for the common fund (koina; or: the associations [?]).

(Lines 6-20) Marcus Minatius son of Sextus, Roman, is a noble and good man, acting piously towards the gods and glory-loving in relation to the synod, displaying love of glory both to individuals and to the association (koinon) in such a way that the plan of the association may be fulfilled and the building may be completed according to what was previously decreed. He contributed the interest, which was considerable, and contributed what was gathered together, from which he made an advance of money for the ones who were chosen to carry out the construction of the sanctuary. Following this, he also made a voluntary contribution of 7000 drachmas to the association on his own. Furthermore, he also invited all of us to the sacrifice, which he prepared for the gods to be accomplished for the synod, and he invited us to the banquet. He also promised that for the future he would always have the same inclination to be a contributing cause of something good for the association (koinon), in order that the synod may appear to be honoring good men, never neglecting any opportunity to return favour.

(Lines 20-34) For good fortune! It was resolved by the association to praise Marcus Minatius son of Sextus, Roman, and to accept the promise he made in a friendly way, since he is a glory-seeking person. The association will also grant him a place chosen by him in the courtyard for setting up his statue, or in whatever other place he may decide, except for the shrine (naos) or the porticos (prostoa), where he can erect a statue, and a place in the temple (hieron), whatever he wishes, for setting up a painted portrait (eikon).  The following will be inscribed on the statue: “The association of Berytian, Poseidoniast merchants, shippers and warehouse-workers set this up for Marcus Minatius son of Sextus, Roman banker, their own benefactor on account of the virtue and goodwill which he continues to have towards the association.” And the same inscription will accompany the portrait. Let him also be assigned a dining-couch with that of the sacrificer during the festivities in honor of Poseidon and the foremost dining-couch in all the other synods.

(Lines 34-53) Also, let one day each year be celebrated for him on the day following the procession of the festivities in honor of Apollo, and let him invite two people of his choice. Now a gold crown will be placed upon him, upon him who “crowned” the synod. Let the following be proclaimed during the festivities in honor of Poseidon: “The association crowns Marcus Minatius son of Sextus with a gold crown on account of the virtue and goodwill which he continues to have towards the association. For good fortune!” Furthermore, proclaim the following on the same day: “The association crowns Marcus Minatius son of Sextus and celebrates a day in his honor, both now and forever, on account of the virtue and goodwill which he continues to have towards the association. For good fortune!” And in the monthly synods proclaim: “The association crowns Marcus Minatius son of Sextus with a gold crown, being a benefactor of the synod. For good fortune!” Let the proclamations of the crowns always be done in front of the people. Also let him bring one guest to each procession. Let him be free from service in every office and every expenditure. Let a bull be brought on his behalf for the procession during the festivities in honor of Apollo each year for all time. The inscription on the bull (?) should be as follows: “The association of Berytian Poseidon-devotees on behalf of Marcus Minatius son of Sextus.”

(Lines 53-69) Now, in order that the honors being given by the synod to Marcus may remain for all time in accordance with what is just and in order that there may be many emulators to display love of glory towards the synod, knowing that the synod is useful and that it not only decrees appropriate honors for benefactors but eagerly promotes them, which is essential.  In order that the honors given to benefactors may continue forever, it is not permitted for anyone, whether a common man or a ruler, to say or to write something as though it is necessary to change the honors which have been given, or to remove or invalidate or to do anything in violation of this decree.  May whoever writes or proposes a motion or is the speaker or puts it to a vote or votes for it or inscribes it or proposes it be himself utterly ruined and his children.  Now let the ones who watch for violations have enjoyment of life, children, and possessions, and may they be kept safe by land and by sea. Also let the one who does these things that are forbidden pay 6000 drachmas with crowns pressed on them that are sacred to Poseidon and let that one be liable for the wrong that was done. Likewise let the head of the society (archithiasitēs) who does not follow the commands pay the same penalty and be liable for the wrong that was done.

(Lines 69-81) Let the treasurers in leadership at the time pay the herdsmen, who were chosen according to the law, 150 drachmas for the processional bull on behalf of Marcus, and let them pay another 150 drachmas for the reception which the association holds each year on behalf of Marcus. Now let the herdsmen who receive the money written above lead the bull in procession and let them do the same for the banquet according to the decree. Let them (i.e. the treasurers) provide a written account of what funds they managed in the first meeting after the reception. But if any of the chosen herdsmen does not do any of the things ordered for them to do, let that one pay 1000 sacred drachmas of Poseidon and let him be liable for the wrong that was done.

(Lines 81-96) Now let those who do not do what is recorded in the decree also be subject to a curse, and let any member of the society who wants to accuse them do so, for this is permitted for them. Let the one who is head of the society at the time summon both the prosecutor and the defendant, and let him distribute a pebble for voting to the members of the society . . . (one or two words missing) . . . goes well, to the one who has made the accusation, being rewarded with one third of the fine. . . But if the head of the society does not do something as stipulated here, let him be prosecuted concerning these things when he is no longer an official of the association. Let the head of the society have the decree inscribed on a white plaque and set up publicly, and let him place it in the courtyard . . . this was done when Phaidrios was civic leader (archōn) . . . Let those in leadership as treasurers at the time pay the expense.

Berytians’ meeting-place: Shrines I-IV, including the shrine for the statue of Roma (far right shrine).
Photo © Monika Trümper 2012.

IDelos 1520. Photo from Tod 1934.

Berytians’ meeting-place: Courtyard X (from the north)
Photo © Monika Trümper 2012.

Berytians’ meeting-place: Exedra in Courtyard X (from the northeast).
Photo © Monika Trümper 2012.

Berytians’ meeting place: Peristyle courtyard F (from northeast).
Photo © Monika Trümper 2012.

Item added: January 22, 2012
Item modified: November 14, 2020
ID number: 1576
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=1576