Halikarnassos (Caria, Asia Minor — Pleiades map), ca. 300-250 BCE
LSAM 72, lines 1-10 = W. R. Paton and J. L. Myres, "Karian Sites and Inscriptions," JHS 16 (1896) 188–271, at 234-236 (no. 36) = GIBM IV 896 = CCCA I 715 = SEG 15, 637 = PHI 258180 = CGRN 104 (with French translation and English commentary) = AGRW ID# 10993
Copenhagen Inventory info: 830

(I: Oracle)

When Poseidonios sent to inquire of Apollo for himself and for members of his family, past and present, both the men and the women, regarding what to do and what to accomplish, the god answered: “It is more desirable and better for them to do as their ancestors did and to appease and honor Zeus Patroos (“Ancestral Zeus”), Apollo Lord of Telmessos, the Fates (Moirai), and the Mother of the Gods, and also to honor and appease the Good Spirit (Agathos Daimon) of Poseidonios (10) and of Gorgis (i.e. Poseidonios’ wife). There will be a more desirable outcome if they carefully continue to observe and do these things.”

(II: Pledge by Poseidonios)

Poseidonios the son of Iatrokles gave as a pledge to his own descendants, to their descendants both from male and female offspring, and to those who take wives (?) from them (i.e. in-laws), (15) for the sacrifice to those gods whom the god prescribed: the field in Astypalaia, which borders with the land of Anthes and Damagetos, and the courtyard, and the garden, and the land surrounding the tomb, as well as a half of the rights of tillage at Taramptos.  (20) Let the one who is the oldest among the descendants of Poseidonios, according to the line of male descent, always exploit these bequests and serve as priest, handing over four gold pieces net each year.

(III: Decree)

It was decided by Poseidonios, the descendants of Poseidonios and those who have taken wives (?) from them to appoint from their ranks each year three ‘monthly officials’ (epimēnioi), (25) who, when they have received from the priest during the month of Eleutherios the four gold pieces each year from the pledge, will put on the sacrifices. But if he (i.e. the priest) fails to pay or refuses to exploit the endowments, then the pledged properties are to be held in common and leased out by the ‘monthly officials.’  The precinct is also to become common property and (30) to be leased out by the ‘monthly officials’.   And providing the rent money and the money from the right of tillage: let them supervise the rites for two days during the month of Hermaion, providing all the customary necessities for the sacrifices to the priest: on the first day, sacrifice a ram to the Good Fortune of the father and mother of Poseidonios, (35) as well as a ram to the Good Spirit (Agathos Daimon) of Poseidonios and Gorgis; on the second day, a ram is to be sacrificed to Zeus Patroos, a ram to Apollo who rules over Telemessos, a ram to the Fates and a goat to the Mother of the Gods.  Let the priest obtain from each animal a thigh and a quarter-portion of the entrails, (40) and he is to have an equal share of the other parts.  Let the ‘monthly officials,’ having extracted sufficient quantities of the remaining meat for the banqueters and the wives, make equal portions and give such a portion to each of those present and absent.  But let them reserve the heads and feet for themselves.  And (45) they must sell the fleeces in the thiasos and give an account on the second day before the dinner, writing up for what each sum was spent, and the remainder (i.e. the profit) is to be spent on dedicatory offerings.  The oracle, the pledge (50) and the decree are to be written up on a marble stele and set up in the precinct.  May it be better under the control of god and man for those who maintain and enact these commands.

GIBM IV 896.
Used under a Creative Commons Licence. © Trustees of the British Museum, inv.
no. 1876,0701.1

Item added: February 25, 2013
Item modified: June 20, 2023
ID number: 10993
Short link address:
http://www.philipharland.com/greco-roman-associations/?p=10993