Ankyra (Galatia, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), 128/129 CE
AGRW 212 = IAnkyraM 141 = IAnkyraB 128 = W. H. Buckler and Josef Keil, "Two Resolutions of the Dionysiac Artists from Angora," JRS 16 (1926) 245-252 = SEG 6, no. 59 = PHI 267069 = AGRW ID# 13509
Copenhagen Inventory info: 1969

(Translation 1 [from the AGRW sourcebook]:)

For good fortune! Decree of the world-wide performers (technitai) gathered around Dionysos and emperor Trajan Hadrian Augustus Caesar, new Dionysos, namely, those who are crowned sacred victors, fellow-contestants, and registered members of the sacred theatrical synod (or: as well as the members of the sacred theatrical synod). Since the most sacred Council established (10) Ulpius Aelius Pompeianus as director of contests for the mystical (mystikon) contest, which was granted to the city by the emperor in a speedy manner. Since he accepted the appointment quickly, and he accomplished the contest in an conspicuous manner from his own resources, leaving no brilliant and generous thing undone. He confirmed the piety of the homeland towards both gods, and all the benefactions were given freely, sparing no expense. (20) Acting very quickly, the contests were already called again, and he assisted in every part of the mystery. The prizes were being established for the synod, and the contest involving mysteries was being held because he alone preferred to do good for the city.

Therefore, for the sake of preserving honors for both the emperor and Dionysos and maintaining the contest for the city, it was resolved by us to honor the man with a statue which will be set up in the most noticeable place in the metropolis, and a separate one for the competitors will be set up (30) in the theater as a most beautiful model of virtue for the spectators. The competitor who enters into the mystical contest should adorn it (i.e. the second statue) with the crowns that are brought in. But if a competitor does not do this, he is to be excluded from the contest because of his lack of gratitude towards a virtuous man and the competitor’s failure to obey the things that have been decreed by the synod. Furthermore, a statue of the man is to be set up in Neapolis. The decree will display (40) the greatness of the man and the proper thanksgiving of the synod to the greatest emperor Caesar Trajan Hadrian Augustus and the greatest governor Trebius Sergianus.

This was brought forward by Gaius Antonius Pol . . . , comic actor and olympian victor, and has been carried to vote by Gaius Julius Collega son of Neocaesarus, incredible comic actor. The performance of the mystical contest took place in the metropolis of Ankyra in Galatia when Ulpius Aelius Pompeianus was leader of the Assembly of Hellenes (helladarch), Memmius . . . was high-priest, . . . Name son of Dionysios was leader of the Assembly of Hellenes (helladarch); when Titus Flavius Julianus was foremost leader, (50) Alexandros Sopatros was secretary, . . . Name the Laodicean, cithara-player and incredible victor in the Augustan games, was high-priest for the third time, . . . Name son of Epoptos from the Troad, greatest victor, was legal expert; and, when Nonius Torquatus Asprenas and Marcus Annius Libo were consuls.

(Translation 2 [alternative, also by Harland]:)

To good fortune.  Decree of the world-wide performers (technitai), sacred-victors (hieronikai), and crown-bearers gathered around Dionysos and emperor Trajan Hadrian Augustus Caesar, new Dionysos, and the fellow-contestants (synagōnistai) and those managing the sacred theatrical synod (synodos):  Whereas Ulpius (10) Aelius Pompeianus, having been put forward by the most sacred Council to be director of contests for the competitions given by the emperor to the city on short notice, both quickly accepted the vote and accomplished the contests in a distinct manner.  Using his own resources, he brilliantly and generously left nothing undone.   Rather, he decreed the piety of the homeland for both gods (i.e. Hadrian and Dionysos) and he made all benefactions without concern for the cost, not hesitating about any expenditure.  With the (20) speed of his enthusiasm, he called in the competitors while they were on the road and he provided for every part of the mystery (mystērion), having established the prizes for the synod and managed . . . the mystical (?) . . . contest just as though he were selected as the only one to do good for the city (polis).

In order to facilitate . . . these honors (?) . . . for the emperor and for Dionysos and to preserve the contest for the city, we . . . therefore resolved (?). . . to honor this man with a statue which will be set up in a most conspicuous place of the metropolis, but in the competitors own place (30) in the theater as the perfect example of . . virtue (?). . . for the spectators.  It has been decreed that a competitor who enters into . . . the mystical (?) . . . contest must put crowns upon it (i.e. the statue), but if a competitor fails to do so he is to be excluded from the contest on account of being ungrateful towards a virtuous man and being disobedient with regard to the decrees of the synod.  We also resolved to set up a statue . . . of the man (?) . . . in Neapolis (i.e. Naples) and to report to the greatest emperor Caesar Trajan Hadrian Augustus and the greatest governor Trebius Sergianus by way of a decree regarding (40) the greatness of the man and the righteous . . . gratitude (?) . . . of the synod.  Gaius Antonius . . . Polemon from Laodikeia (?). . ., author of comedies and Olympic victor, introduced the motion, Gaius Julius Collega from . . . Neocaesarea, author of comedies (?). . . and incredible competitor, seconded the motion.   This happened in Ankyra, the . . . metropolis (?) . . . of Galatia when the mystical contest took place under the helladarch (i.e. “leader of the Greeks” in the province) Ulpius Aelius Pompeianus and the high-priest Memmius . . . Name . . . Dionysios, the helledarch, when Titus Flavius Julianus was foremost leader (archon), (50) Alexander son of Sopater of Sardis and Laodikeia, singer and player of the lyre,  incredible victor in the Augustan contest, high-priest (archiereus) for the third time, was secretary (grammateus), . . . Name son of Epoptes from the Troad, victor in many contests, was the keeper of the laws (nomodeiktēs).  This took place when Nonius Torquatus Asprenas and M. Annius Libo were consuls, seven days before the Ides of December.

IAnkyraM 141: Photo of a squeeze from Buckler and Keil 1926.
Public domain.

Item added: June 24, 2013
Item modified: November 13, 2020
ID number: 13509
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=13509