This inscription, which has been heavily restored, shows how much influence was wielded by some individuals at the court of Antigonos and other kings in the early Hellenistic period. The inscription contains decrees from several other cities that are too fragmentary for meaningful translation. For a full list of the decrees, and a summary of everything that is known about Nikomedes, see P.Paschidis, "Between city and king", pp.361-365 ( PDF ).
[A] {stele 1, face A, fr. 1} [Decree of the Athenians. It was resolved by the council], as proposed by . . . of Thria: since [Nikomedes of Kos], the son of Aristandros, [previously has continually said and done everything] that is advantageous [to the people] of Athens, [and now while he is residing with Antigonos at every opportunity both] publicly and privately he makes [himself] useful [to the people and to those of the citizens who meet him; and he has continually as far as possible taken every forethought] for those who are serving as soldiers on behalf of the democracy; and he has demonstrated [his good disposition to the other] Greeks, [so that] he has been honoured [by many of them with the highest] honours [for] being a good man; [therefore] in order that [the people may be seen] to honour [noble men] and those who choose [to show] goodwill towards [it, with good fortune it is resolved by the council] that the presidents who [are allotted] to preside [over the people at the forthcoming assembly shall raise] this matter [and shall bring] the decision of the council [to the people, that it is resolved by the council to praise Nikomedes] of Kos, the son of Aristandros, [on account of his virtue and] the goodwill [that he continually shows towards the people of Athens, and to crown] him with a golden [crown, as is customary; and that [he] shall have . . .; [and that he shall be] an Athenian citizen, belonging to whichever tribe [and deme and phratry he wishes, according to the laws; and that the prytaneis of the] Leontis tribe [shall put the vote about him to the people at the first available assembly. The secretary of the prytany shall inscribe this] decree [on a stone stele and place it on the acropolis; and the treasurer of the people shall give . . . drachmas for] the cost of inscribing [the stele from the funds that the people] spend [on] decrees.
[It was resolved by the people: since] Nikomedes in [former times continually showed goodwill, saying and doing everything] that was advantageous [to the people, and now . . .; to inscribe the decree of the] council on a [stone stele] and . . .
[B] {1, A, 1} [Decree of the (?) the Athenians in Lem]nos. It was resolved by the [people] . . . Nikomedes . . . the envoys sent [by Antigonos report that Nikomedes takes all forethought for the] citizens who come [to Antigonos; therefore with good fortune it is resolved to praise Nikomedes] on account of [his virtue] towards the Athenians . . .
[C] {1, A, 2} . . . since Nikomedes of Kos, the son of Aristandros, who is a proxenos of the] city, has continually been well-disposed and friendly . . . [and the embassies] arriving from Antigonos report [that Nikomedes is zealous about the interests of the city, and for this reason it was resolved] by the council to produce a preliminary decree in the month of Apatourion . . . it is resolved by the people to praise Nikomedes . . . and that the people [will erect] a bronze statue of him and place . . . [to appoint a man] and whoever is appointed that take care as [necessary that] . . . Phaidrias son of Teisis [was appointed].
[D] {1, A, 5} . . . [to crown him with a golden] crown [of fifty Alexandrian gold pieces and to place a] bronze [statue of him] in the [agora, with this inscription: "The people of Chios honour Nikomedes of Kos, the son of Aristandros,] on account of [his virtue] and his goodwill [towards them." And in order that everyone may know that the people of Chios understands how to give] suitable thanks [in return for the favours it has received, the sacred herald shall make this] announcement [in the theatre at the Dionysia]: "The people of Chios crowns [Nikomedes of Kos, the son of Aristandros, with a golden crown of] fifty Alexandrian [gold pieces], and will place [a bronze statue of him in the agora;" this announcement shall be made at] all he games that the city holds, and the agonothete [shall take care that] the proclamation [is made. A man shall be] appointed who shall take care of the erection of the statue. The] first envoys whom the people [sends to Antigonos] shall hand over [this decre to Nikomedes] . . . and they shall praise him and crown [him on behalf of the people; and the [people] shall give the crown to the envoys . . . Kleandros son of Themistios [was appointed for the preparation] of the statue.
[E] {1, B, 1} Decree of the Gryneians. It was resolved by the council and the people: [since the messengers sent by Antigonos report] that Nikomedes is zealous about the interests of the city [of Gryneion, it is resolved that Nikomedes and his descendants shall be proxenoi on the same terms as] other proxenoi, and to write [their names . . . and they shall be given the crown that] the Gryneians gave to the messengers. A vote shall be held [in the assembly about granting to Nikomedes] citizenship and the right to own land and buildings and privileged seating [at the games and freedom from taxes and the right to sail in and out inviolably] and without formality and priority in receiving justice; and that the [other privileges which are given to the other citizens and proxenoi shall be given to them amongst the Gryneians.
[F] {1, B, 1} Decree of the Phokaian villagers . . . from the people . . . [since Nikomedes] of Kos, the son of Aristandros, has [both publicly shown continual goodwill] towards the people [of Phokaia] . . . and privately [he gives whatever help he can to those of the Phokaians who meet him, it is resolved to praise Nikomedes] of Kos, the son of Aristandros . . . [to write these honours] on a white tablet . . . freedom] from all [taxes on imports and exports and the right to sail in and out in war] and peacteime inviolably [and without formality] . . .
[G] {1, B, 2} . . . decision of the timouchoi: since [Nikomedes] son of Aristandros . . . to the city [(?) of Klazomenai] . . . continually [saying and] doing everything that is advantageous . . . and to inscribe this decree [on] a stele . . .
[H] {1, B, 5} . . . [granted] to Nikomedes and Kleomachos [of Kos], the sons of Aristandros . . . freedom from taxes on whatever they import and export . . . citizenship and the right to own land; and if they wish, [they shall have] access . . .
[I] {2, A, front} Decree of the Samians. It was resolved by the people: since Nikomedes [of Kos], the son of Aristandros, [showed continual goodwill towards us during our exile, both privately to those] of the citizens who [met him and publicly to the people, and after we returned home, while he was residing with king Antigonos he offered his help with goodwill and eagerness] to our envoys [who came] to Antigonos; therefore it is resolved by the people . . . [to praise] Nikomedes on account of the virtue that he continually has] towards the people of Samos, [and to enrol him as a proxenos and benefactor of the people]; he shall be granted citizenship [on an equal and similar basis, and allotted to a tribe and] 'thousand' and family, and enrolled [in the same way as the other Samians; and] the five men [who are appointed] shall take care [of the enrolment. This decree shall be inscribed on a] stone [stele] and placed [in the temple of Hera].
[J] {2, B, back} [Decree of the citizens of Antigoneia in] the Troad. It was resolved by the [council and people] . . . that he shall be a citizen . . .
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