back

Translations of Hellenistic Inscriptions: 151


ARBITRATION BETWEEN HALOS AND PHTHIOTIC THEBES

Greek text:   FD_3.4.355
Provenance:     Delphi
Date:   c. 145-137 B.C.
Tags:     arbitration
Format:   see key to translations

In this agreement, two cities in Thessaly submitted a dispute about some 'sacred land' to arbitration by a citizen of another Thessalian city, Larisa. The arbitration has been discussed by S.L.Ager, "Interstate Arbitrations in the Greek World, 337-90 B.C.", no. 153 ( Google Books ). For the meaning of the word xenodokoi in line 22, see R.Zelnick-Abramovitz, "The Xenodokoi of Thessaly", pp.112-113 ( PDF ).

* * *

10 They voluntarily . . . amongst themselves so that there should be a decision about the land disputed between the cities, with M[akon] of Larisa the son of [Omphalio]n as arbitrator, and his decisions shall be binding. The decisions shall be made in the [ninth] month, Thyos as the Thessalians reckon, while the same man is general. The agreement and the decision given by Makon shall be inscribed on two pillars; one shall be set up in Delphi, and the other in the temple of Apollo Kerdoios in Larisa, during the remaining part of this year. Each city shall pay half of the [expenses] incurred for this. Whichever party does not [accept the] decision, or does not abide by what has been decided by Makon, shall pay a fine of five talents of silver to [the other] city; and separately what has been decided by Makon . . . 20 they shall inscribe this on two pillars and each [city] shall set them up, one in the temple of Athena Polias in Thebes, and the other in [the temple] of Artemis Panachaia in Achaian [Halos].   Witnesses {xenodokoi}: Kephalinos . . . , Nikoboulos of Melitaia the son of Perdikkas, Polysaon of Melitaia the son of Politas.

When Diotimos of Larisa the son of Hermias was general, on the twentieth day of the intercalary month, the arbitrator [appointed] by the city [of Thebes] and the city of Halos, Makon [of Larisa] the son of Omphalion, concerning the land that [was disputed] between the Thebans and the Haleis, [having travelled through all the] land with the representatives sent by each city and [having listened to the] evidence spoken by both parties, on this basis made his decision, with the agreement of both parties [about the] sacred land . . . on the border with the Ligynaians; [the borders shall be as] 30 . . .

. . . 40 the sea, and each party shall be able . . . of payment to them, and to let out to the other party [not] individually but in common . . . to sell at the time that the cities themselves arrange; and from the income they shall perform the sacrifices to the gods together, if both the cities [hold] the income in common, or each party shall sacrifice separately, if they split the income; and [(?) the penalties] arising from these matters shall be revoked by each party. [Each party] shall inscribe this decision on four stone pillars, and they shall set up one in Delphi, one in the temple of Apollo Kerdoios at Larisa, one in the temple of Athena Polias [at Thebes], and the other in the temple of [Artemis] Panachaia at Halos. They shall do this in the year after Diotimos [was general]; 50 and each of the cities shall give money for the expense of this.

→ inscription 152

Attalus' home page   |   22.02.18   |   Any comments?