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Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum: 68.282


LARISA HONOURS JUDGES FROM SPARTA


Greek text:   SEG 68.282 & 68.283
Provenance:     Larissa , Thessaly
Date:   c. 130-120 B.C.
Tags:     foreign_judges
Format:   see key to translations

This inscription shows that the Thessalians continued to cooperate with cities in the Peloponnese after the dissolution of the Achaean League in 146 B.C.   According to the fragmentary inscription 283, which is dated to about the same period, Larisa also received judges from the city of Messene.

The inscriptions were published with a French translation and commentary by A. Tziafalias and B. Helly, "Décrets de Larisa pour des juges de Lacédémone et de Messène et lettres péloponnésiennes à Larisa" ( OpenEdition ).


[282]   Since the Lakedaimonians are friends [and well-disposed towards us, and when the people sent] Pe... . . . as an envoy to them to [ask them] to send to us three judges [and a secretary, respectable men who were] trusted by them and trained [to give judgements, so that they could undertake] to conduct the legal cases [in the best] and fairest manner, they eagerly [agreed to] the request; they appointed and sent [respectable men], namely Pratonikos, Chares and Xenokles, with Eucharistos [as their secretary];   therefore, [as proposed by] Megalokles son of Makon, [it was resolved by the people] of Larisa to praise the people of Lakedaimon [for their goodwill 10 and] zeal and the noble attitude that they have towards our city, [and because the] judges and secretary who were sent by them made [decisions] about all the legal cases in a manner worthy of the people who sent them [and the] trust that had been placed in them;   and also to praise the judges [Pratonikos] son of Kratesikles, Chares son of Damoteles and Xenokles son of Hagetor, [along with] their secretary Eucharistos, because, when they were sent as judges [to us], they conducted the task of judgement for which they were responsible without reproach; and they shall be proxenoi of the people of Larisa, both themselves and their descendants, [and] they shall have the right to own land and buildings and they shall have security both in war and upon peacetime, and all the other privileges that are granted to other proxenoi [of the people].   20 The tagoi shall write to the city of Lakedaimon to inform them of the honours that have been granted to their people and to the judges and the secretary, [and ask them to] inscribe the honours on a stone stele and set it up in the temple of Athena [Chalkioikos], in the most prominent place so that it may be clear to everyone that [the people] of Larisa [rewards ]with fitting honours judges who conduct themselves justly and piously towards the people. The magistrates shall also inscribe [this decree on] a stone stele and set it up in the temple of Apollo Kerdoios, and [the cost] of doing this shall be paid out of the public funds. The magistrates [in office] shall ensure that they send [an envoy] to the city of Lakedaimon to deliver the letters and inform them of the other honours that have been granted to their [people and 30 the] judges.

[283]   . . . because [they enabled] some of those who were in dispute [to reach] agreement, and they made their decisions about the other [legal cases that they heard] 10 in the best possible manner, [in accordance] with the laws and the oath . . .

. . . On the third day of Homolōios, in assembly, when Nikorras son of Aineias was agoranomos, as proposed by Nikorras son of Aineias, it was resolved by the people of Larisa to praise the city of Messene for the care that they have taken and for sending 20 respectable men to us, and to praise the judges whom they sent . . .


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