Translations of Hellenistic Inscriptions: 134

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DIONYSIA AT IASOS

Inscription A is the earliest of a long series of similar inscriptions from Iasos. The purpose of the contributions was to enable all citizens to attend some theatrical performances free of charge; the repeated phrase 'his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free' appears to mean that there was no charge for attending the performance, but the city received a token payment of one drachma for the use of the theatre. The translation of A is taken from C.Crowther, "The Dionysia at Iasos: Its Artists, Patrons, and Audience", pp.302-304 ( PDF ).

A particular point of interest in inscription B is in the identity of one of the donors, Niketas of Jerusalem. If Niketas was a Jew - and there is little reason to doubt this - then it is difficult to see how a devout Jew could justify contributing to a Greek festival; and indeed he has followed normal Greek convention by describing himself, not as a Jew, but as a citizen of Jerusalem.   Some scholars think that Niketas was not unusual in this respect; see for instance E.S. Gruen in "Early Judaism: New Insights and Scholarship", p. 57 ( Google Books ).

[A]   When Apollo was stephanephoros after Nemertes, the following made contributions :

• Apollodoros son of Charmos, as agonothete, paid for the comic poet Sosylos for two days, and his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free;
• Dymas son of Antipatros, from the contribution which he assented to make in the previous year when he was choregos, paid for the comic poet Sosylos, and his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free;
• Bloson son of Pythion, from the contribution which he assented to make in the previous year when he was choregos, paid for the comic poet Sosylos, and his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free;
• Nemertes son of Theotimos, from the contribution which he assented to make when he was stephanephoros, paid for the citharist Eualkes, and his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free;
• Menon son of Artemon, as choregos, paid for the citharist Eualkes, and his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free;
• Menedemos son of Artemon, as choregos, paid for the citharist Eualkes, and his appearance brought in a drachma and viewing was free;
• Hermodoros son of Drakontides, from the contribution which he assented to make in the previous year when he was agonothete, paid 300 drachmas.

[B]   When Apollo was stephanephoros after Antigonos son of Antigonos, and the agonothete was Theodoros son of Melanion; these men, as they had previously promised, gave money at the Dionysia :

• agonothete :   Mnesitheos son of Athenodoros, by birth the son of Menedemos
• choregoi :   Menedemos son of Menekrates, Theophilos son of Anaxippos, Dionysios son of Menippos, and Menetimos son of Podōn -   200 drachmas each
• metics :   Agathinos of Apameia, son of Leon, and Nikētas of Jerusalem, son of Jason -   100 drachmas each

→ inscription 135

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