At the time of these decrees, Caria was still nominally subject to the Macedonian king ( see inscription_31 ), but the inhabitants of Iasos clearly thought that it would help to seek the support of the Rhodians before approaching the king. The translation follows the Greek text of A.Meadows,"Four Rhodian Decrees: Rhodes, Iasos and Philip V" (Chiron 26, 1996).
In his commentary on the historical background to the decrees, Meadows suggests the following sequence of events:
When Demeas son of Stesiochos was stephanephoros {of Iasos} and Menes son of Podon was secretary; decrees from the Rhodians.
[A] It was resolved by the people, concerning the matters in which the Iasians, who are kinsmen and friends of our people, sent a decree and envoys to report the offences that have been committed by in their territory by Podilos and to urge the people, in the same way as in previous times they have provided assistance to the city of Iasos, now also to take forethought as to how the city of Iasos may remain free and autonomous; and that some attention may be given to the offences that have been committed, in whatever way the people decides; and that the envoys representing them, Polemarchos and Glaukos, should come before the council and the assembly and speak with all honourable zeal in accordance with what is written in the decree; it is resolved to reply to them that the people, knowing that the Iasians are well-disposed towards our city, previously happened to take every care concerning what was advantageous to them; and now, choosing to assist in establishing everything that is necessary for the security and safety of their city, the people shall take every forethought that recompense may be made for the offences committed by Podilos, and that Olympichos may not permit those under his command to commit any offence in the territory of Iasos; and that for the future, the people of Rhodes, preserving as much as possible the kinship and friendship that exists between them and the Iasians, shall abstain from nothing which is advantageous to the Iasians; and to invite the envoys who have arrived from Iasos to hospitality in the prytaneion.
[B] It was resolved by the council and the people: so that the Iasians, who are kinsmen and friends of our people, may be aware of the kindnessees shown to them by the people of Rhodes; it is resolved by the council and the people forthwith to appoint two envoys, to go to the Iasians; they shall renew the kinship that exists between the Iasians and the populace of Rhodes; and they shall describe what has been decreed by the people of Rhodes concerning the offences that have been committed by Podilos in their territory; and they shall make clear to them that for the future also the people will preserve its existing kinship and friendship with the Iasians, and will abstain from nothing which is advantageous to the Iasians. Appointed: Timasitheos son of Dionysios and Epikrates son of Timasistratos.
[C] It was resolved by the council and the people: since the Iasians, who are kinsmen and friends of our people, have sent a decree and an embassy to our city to describe the offences that have been committed against them by Podilos . . . by Olympichos and to urge the people to take forethought of their city and to send envoys [to (?) king Philippos] who shall give an account of the offences . . . keep their city free . . .
{ Approximately 29 lines missing }
[D] . . . to the people, disclosing the instructions sent by the king, they shall urge the subordinate officer {hyparchos} and Olympichos not to permit those under their command to commit any offence in the territory of Iasos, but to behave humanely towards the inhabitants, and to take some forethought as to how there might be recompense for the offences which have already been committed, in accordance with the instructions sent by the king; knowing that, if he takes care of these matters, he will be seen to be acting in accordance with the will of the king and the rights granted by him to the city. They shall explain to him that the people, knowing that the Iasians are well-disposed towards our city, and choosing to assist in establishing everything necessary for their security and safety, previously gave instructions to the commanders who were sent out by us to take care of the territory of Iasos in the same way as the territory of our people; and now, being mindful of the kinship that exists between us and them, the people will abstain from nothing that is advantageous to the city of Iasos; but if, despite all the efforts that the people makes concerning these matters, Olympichos shows no regard and ignores the offences that have occurred, then the envoys shall make it clear to him that the people will maintain its existing goodwill towards king Philippos, but will do everything that it is convinced will contribute to the security of the city of Iasos. Appointed: Timasitheos son of Dionysios and Epikrates son of Timasistratos.
Attalus' home page | 09.02.16 | Any comments?