In the 2nd century B.C., when it became common practice to use foreign judges to resolve disputes, some cities appointed an official called a dikastagōgos {"judge-escort"} to assist in the process. See A. Scafuro, "Decrees for foreign judges: judging conventions - or epigraphic habits?", p. 377 ( PDF ); and in general, P.Hamon, "Mander des juges dans la cité : notes sur l'organisation des missions judiciaires à l'époque hellénistique" ( Persée ).
The translation is adapted from the English translation on the IG website.
In the year of Phainippos {as monarchos}, on the first day of Gerastios, Theudotos son of Menetidas proposed: since Theugenes son of Hermogenes, when he was sent as dikastagogos to the Smyrnaians, who are our kinsmen and well-disposed and friends of the people, came among them to the council and assembly and made a detailed speech with all zeal and earnestness, 10 urging them to give our city men who are good and honourable and trusted among them, to be two judges and a secretary; and he conducted the rest of his visit in a manner worthy of both cities; and the Smyrnaians have testified about all of this in the response that they gave to him; and after receiving the men and coming with them to our city, he has exerted every effort and attention, and has persisted 20 in taking care of the judges strenuously and justly, in accordance with his oath; and up until the day when the public and private cases were settled, he preserved the trust invested in him by the entire people, acting fairly and justly and righteously towards everyone; and he took on the costs of their residence and also of their attendance at the public festivals at his own expense, always making the payments at the appropriate times, for the sake of the common advantage; 30 therefore, so that the people may be seen to act with gratitude towards good men, and so that others, seeing the gratitude of the populace, may devote themselves with more eagerness to all that is advantageous to the city, for good fortune, it is resolved by the assembly: to praise Theugenes son of Hermogenes and to crown him with a crown of gold, because, when he was sent as dikastagogos, he preserved for all alike the trust given to him by the people; 40 and the sacred herald shall proclaim the award of the crown at the next Dionysia games, after the libations have been made; and the presidents and the agonothete shall take care of the proclamation. He is permitted to inscribe this decree on a stone stele and to erect it in the temple of Asklepios. It was resolved by the council and people, as recommended by the presidents: to use the proposal of Theudotos.
Undamaged tokens, granting the crown, 885; broken tokens, none.
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