By the terms of the treaty of Apameia in 188 B.C., the Rhodians were given control of Lycia. Although this decision later led to conflict, at first some Lycian cities welcomed the new connection with Rhodes; see R.Behrwald, in "Federalism in Greek Antiquity", page 406 ( Google Books ). The Greek text of this inscription, with a German translation and commentary, was published by Mustafa Adak, "Die rhodische Herrschaft in Lykien und die rechtliche Stellung der Städte Xanthos, Phaselis und Melanippion" ( academia.edu ).
[It was resolved by the city and magistrates of Melanippion, as proposed by . . . ; since Apollonios of Phaselis the son of Apollonios . . . ] . . . and he displayed all zeal [and] honourable conduct, and worked with us to ensure that we should be brought into friendship and alliance with the Rhodians, as a result of which we happen to be free, governing our city with concord and in peace, and having control of our own affairs; therefore, so that we may be seen to honour [men] of this kind, 10 it is resolved by the city and magistrates of Melanippion to praise Apollonios of Phaselis the son of Apollonios for the [goodwill] and good attitude that he has towards us; he shall have the status of proxenos and benefactor of the city of Melanippion; and he and his descendants shall have citizenship and the right to sail into the city in war and in [peacetime], inviolably and without formality; and he shall be crowned each year throughout his life with a crown of olive leaves at the Pantheia festival. 20 The magistrates in office shall [inscribe] this decree on a stone stele [and] set it up in the most prominent place in the temple of Athena, so that it may be [clear] to everyone that the city of Melanippion understands how to render suitable thanks to its benefactors.
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