This decree was probably enacted shortly after the end of the war of Rome against Antiochos, during which Chios acted as a base for the Roman naval forces. At this time, some Greek states were already starting to introduce the worship of the goddess Roma; see E.S.Gruen, "The Hellenistic World and the Coming of Rome", pp.178-9 ( Google Books ).
The translation is adapted from I.Salvo, in "Epigraphical Approaches to the Post-Classical Polis", page 127 ( Google Books ).
. . . to participate in his generosity . . . with his kinsmen to honour . . . [for] their manifestation during the war . . . [he provided for each of the citizens] an amphora of old wine. The [ people having decreed to perform in honour of the goddess Roma ], after the Theophania, a procession and [a sacrifice and musical] and athletic [contests], and being eager that [the] festival [should be celebrated as magnificently as possible], wishing to show gratitude [towards the Romans worthy] both of the people itself and of the other Greeks . . . the agonothete, having arrived back from Rome . . . [demonstrated his own] nobility 10 both by honouring them and . . . and [he took upon himself] of his own free will the role of agonothete. [And he offered] to give hospitality to the Romans who arrived [during the period of the festival] and to any others whom the archon might deem [appropriate] . . . this with those who shared in his offering . . . during the festival of the musical [and athletic] contests [what was convenient] for each of things necessary to buy . . . [Furthermore, he took care of the] other requisites for propriety and [orderliness] within the theatre [and] . . . he made [the musical contest] beautiful and worthy of the city and [of those who have contributed to the festival] and those who have led the procession. [He offered a banquet to all] the Romans who were visiting. 20 [Among other things, he looked after the oil supply] for the young men. In regard to the athletic [contests, he organised everything] in the right way. Moreover, wishing in every [way to make visible the] goodwill and gratitude of the people and [to show that the citizens take
care] and promote things befitting their glory and [honour, he made at his own] expense an offering to the goddess Roma to the value of [one thousand] Alexandrian drachmas containing [a narration] of the birth of the founder of Rome [ Romulus and ] his [brother] Remus; according to this, they, as it happens, [were begotten by Ares himself] and it be may rightly be deemed to be true on account [of the courage of the Romans]. He took care then of [the construction] of the shields [offered as a prize by] the people 30 to the victors in the athletic contests [and he also took care that] myths to the Romans' glory should be engraved on them. [Since he wished also] to increase the honours to [the] Muses for the benefit of the citizens . . . judging it right to honour the Muses in the most splendid way . . . on account of the fame that the city has gained [from the poets, he gave from] his own resources a thousand Alexandrian drachmas . . . for the erection of an altar to the Muses and . . .
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