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Sylloge Inscriptionum Graecarum: 450


DELPHI HONOURS KLEOCHARES OF ATHENS

Greek text:   FD_3.2.78
Date:     c. 230-220 B.C.
Tags:     poets+musicians
Format:   see key to translations

This inscription provides some details of the contribution that a poet might make to the rites at a religious centre like Delphi; see C.Sourvinou-Inwood, "Tragedy and Athenian Religion", pp.145-147 ( Google Books ).


Gods. It was resolved by the city of Delphi in full assembly, with a vote as prescribed by law: since Kleochares of Athens, the son of Bion, a lyric poet who belongs to the Akamantis tribe and the deme of Kikynna, when he was residing in the city wrote a processional song and a paean and a hymn for the god, so that the children could sing them at the Theoxenia, with good fortune it is resolved by the city that the chorus-master for each year shall teach the children the processional song and the paean and the hymn, and shall present them at the Theoxenia; and so that the city may be seen to reward those who compose something that is worthy of the god, it is resolved to praise Kleochares of Athens, the son of Bion, on account of both his piety towards the god and his goodwill towards the city, and to crown him with a wreath of laurel, as is traditional at Delphi. He shall have the status of proxenos of the city, and he and his descendants are granted priority in access to the oracle, privileged seating at games, priority in receiving justice, inviolability, freedom from all taxes, and all the other rights which are awarded to other proxenoi and benefactors of the city. When the archon was Patrondas, and the members of the council were Lyson, Nikias, Dion, Gnosilas and Euthydikos.

inscription 451


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