This inscription shows that the Dionysiac Artists had an important role in organising some Greek festivals; for an analysis of their role, see S.Aneziri, in "The Greek Theatre and Festivals: Documentary Studies", pp.68-79 ( Google Books ). According to other sources, the festival at Thebes was called Agrionia; see A.Kotlinska-Toma, "Hellenistic Tragedy: Texts, Translations and a Critical Survey", page 270 ( Google Books ).
[A] [Gods. Good fortune. When . . . was archon in Delphi, and the hieromnemones were:
[B] [When Nikarchos was archon in] Delphi, at [the autumn assembly, it was resolved by the] Amphictyons: so that the sacrifice that is offered to Dionysos [and the festival that occurs every two years and the] games that are held [by the city of Thebes and by the] guild of the Dionysiac artists who [meet] at the Isthmos [and Nemea] may be [as fine as possible], the hieromnemones who are on the [council whenever] the festival that occurs every two years and [the games are held in the] Kadmeion at Thebes [shall take care] concerning these things, [so that they may each be held] on the day [that the city of Thebes and the] guild of the artists wish . . . in the temple by the precinct [of Semele] . . . and security and inviolability shall be provided to all the [artists who are assigned to the sacrifice] and the festival that occurs every two years, for five days while they are travelling there, [and for the same number of days while they are going back], and while the festival is taking place, both for themselves and [for those who are working with them], wherever they are. 20 If anyone seizes or takes them away in contravention of this, [he shall be liable to trial by the Amphictyons]. The temple of Dionysos Kadmeios [at Thebes] shall be inviolable [by anyone], just like the temple in Delphi. The city of Thebes and the artists [shall announce] the sacrifice and the festival and the truce to the cities. The priest of Dionysos and the supervisors appointed [by the] artists and the agonothete of the Thebans [shall be authorised] to manage the events at the temple. The [secretary] shall inscribe this decree on two steles and set up one in the [temple of Apollo] at Delphi, wherever seems to be best, and the other next to the sanctuary [of Semele] at Thebes; and he shall set up steles in other temples, wherever seems to be best.
[C] 30 When Nikarchos was archon in [Delphi], at the autumn [assembly], it was resolved by the Amphictyons: since the city of Thebes and [the artists who] contribute at the Isthmos and Nemea have asked the Amphictyons to make the temple [of Dionysos] inviolable, and to take care of the security of the contestants and of the games; [therefore, so that the sacrifice and the festival that] occurs every two years may be performed for Dionysos Kadmeios in as fine a manner as possible; it is resolved [by the] Amphictyons, that if any one of the flute-players or the choral dancers or the tragic actors or the comic actors who are assigned to the the festival that occurs every two years by the artists does not participate in the contests of the festival that occurs every two years according to the law of the city of Thebes, but abandons the contest while in good health, [he shall] not [be granted] security [for himself] or for those working with him, neither in war nor in peacetime. If he does not participate in the contests, [and] if he is penalised by the agonothete, he may be arrested wherever he is; [and if] a city or [a board of magistrates or a private citizen] extracts from him the fine that has been imposed on him 40 . . .
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