Associations in the Greco-Roman World (AGRW)

An expanding collection of inscriptions, papyri, and other sources in translation (run by Philip A. Harland)

Honors by Palmyra for Ouorodes Mentioning Caravans and Chief-merchants (262-268 CE) Palmyra - Syria and Phoenicia


Palmyra (Syria and Phoenicia, Greater Syria and the East — Pleiades map), 262-268 CE
IPalmyra 67 = CIG 4485 = IGR III1045 = PHI 304887 = AGRW ID# 10319
Copenhagen Inventory info: 637


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At the base of a column on the south of section B (83 x 60 cm). The chief-merchants (ἀρχεμπόροι) here seem to be the later equivalent to the caravan chiefs (συνοδιάρχαι) attested in earlier inscriptions. On the banqueting societies or symposia of the priests of Bel, see PAT 265 on this site (cf. IPalmyra 157 [203 CE], 351 [167 CE]). A head of the banquet, or symposiarch, is also mentioned in another fragmentary inscription (IPalmyra 78).

The Council and the People honored Septimius Ouorodes, the greatest ducanarian (i.e. paid 200000 sesterces) procurator of Augustus and judicial assistant of the mother colony (i.e. Palmyra).  He brought back the caravans (synodia) safely using his own resources and the chief-merchants (archemporoi) testified concerning him.   He was commander in a brilliant manner and overseer of the market of the same mother-colony.  He spent a large amount from his household resources and pleased the same Council and People.  Now he has acted as a brilliant head of the symposium (symposiarchēs) of the priests of the god Zeus Bel.  The Council and People did this on account of his . . . purity (?). . . and honor . . . in the 57xth year in the month of Xandikos.

(Palmyrene text follows)

Translation by: Harland



ἡ βου[λὴ καὶ ὁ δῆ]μος | Σεπτίμ[ιον Οὐορώδην] τὸν κρά|τιστον ἐ[πίτροπον] Σεβαστοῦ | δουκην[άριον δι]κεοδότην {δικαιοδότην} || τῆς μητ[ροκολω]νείας καὶ ἀ|νακομίσαν[τα τ]ὰς συνοδίας | ἐξ ἰδίων καὶ μαρτυρηθέντα | ὑπὸ τῶν ἀρχεμπόρων καὶ | λαμπρῶς στρατηγήσαντα καὶ || ἀγορανομήσαντα τῆς αὐτῆς | μητροκολωνείας καὶ πλεῖστα | οἴκοθεν ἀναλώσαντα καὶ ἀρέσαν|τα τῇ τε αὐτῇ βουλῇ καὶ τῷ δήμῳ, | καὶ νυνεὶ λαμπρῶς συμποσίαρ||χον τῶν το[ῦ θεοῦ] Διὸς Βήλου ἱε|ρέων ἁ[γνείας καὶ] τειμῆς ἕνε|κεν ἔτ[ους ․οφʹ μη]νεὶ {μηνὶ} Ξανδικῷ.

{Palmyrene text follows}

Item added: February 2, 2013
Item modified: May 25, 2021
ID number: 10319
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=10319

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