The Aspendians, who did not previously have close links with Greece, seem to have justified their status as 'kinsmen' of Argos by claiming to be descended from the legendary seer Amphilochos. For some similar claims to ancient links with cities in the Peloponnese, see THI_92 ( Argos and Nikokreon ) and THI_120 ( Tegea and Pergamon). The translation is adapted from I.Rutherford, "State Pilgrims and Sacred Observers in Ancient Greece", p. 394 no. C9.
Of the [Aspendians]. God. With good fortune. It was resolved by the assembly in full session, [on the
day] of the intercalary month of Amyklaios; Polychares Heraieus of Kolouris was priest {arētēr} of the council; [it was resolved] by the Argive people: that there shall be citizenship in Argos for the Aspendians, as kinsmen [and] colonists of the Argives, and access to the assembly first after the sacrifices and the Rhodians, [just as] for the people of Soloi [as well], and right of invitation to the contests; and the theoroi, whom they send to sacrifice to Nemean Zeus and Argive [ Hera ], shall convey their offerings with the Argives (?) at the front, and shall be invited [(?) to privileged seating]; 10 and the agonothete and the hieromnemones [who are] currently in office shall take care of them; and the assembly and all [the magistrates] shall care for the Aspendians for all time, if they [have need] of anything; and if any of the Aspendians desire to live in Argos, they shall live here, (?) paying taxes just as the Argives have a right to do so in Aspendos. [This] decree shall be inscribed on a stele in the shrine of { Apollo } Lykeios, and at Nemea, and in the temple of Hera. The words 'the people of the Aspendians' shall be added to the
column in the shrine of Lykeios (?) Eumelos proposed . . . Aspendian . . .
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