OsborneNaturalization D43 Decree honouring Timosthenes of Karystos

Decree honouring Timosthenes of Karystos

Osborne, Naturalization, D43 Date: 306/5 BC

In the archonship of Koroibos (306/5), in the - prytany, of -. Uninscribed space Diotimos son of Diopeithes of Euonymon^[1] proposed: since Timosthenes, being proxenos of the Athenian People, (5) continues to be friendly and well disposed towards the Athenian People, and previously during the war that the Athenian People, fought against Antipater for the freedom of the Greeks^[2], [having been sent by the Karystians] as a representative (sunedros) [to the camp of the Athenians and the] (10) allies, strove [for their preservation, saying and] doing what was in the interests [of the Athenian People] and the Karystians; and he also continued to show love of honour (philotimoumenos) towards the Athenian People; and he also contributed [the greatest part] of his wealth [to meet their needs], (15)[on the assumption that it would benefit the common cause of the Greeks against] Macedon and when Antipater . . . he did not abandon his friendship and continued to do good both collectively to the Athenian People and individually to those coming to Karystos, being of service, (20)and in the common counsels of the Karystians saying and doing what was in the interests of his own fatherland and of the Athenian People; and when Kassandros invaded Attica, he willingly came to the aid of the People . . . ; for good fortune, the People shall decide (25)to praise Timosthenes son Demophanes^[3] for [the excellence] and good will which he continues to show the Athenian People, and to crown him with a gold crown of - drachmas; and Timosthenes [shall be an Athenian, himself and his] [descendants?] . . .

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References:

Osborne, Naturalization, D43 (Translated text)

IG II² 467 + Add. p. 661 (PHI)

SEG 34.73

Syll.³ 327

Translation by: Stephen Lambert, Marta Caselle

Images: Krateros - (1)
Ohio - (1)

Monument type: Stele

Inscription type: Decree (People)

Findspot: Acropolis (EM 7263)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] Textual Note Except for ll. 16 and 29-30 (see below), our translation follows Osborne's text, which yields different sense from IG II² at the following points: 8 [ὑπὸ Καρυστίων] Osborne after Wilhelm, Akademieschriften II, 552, [ὑπὸ τῆς πόλεως] IG | 11 [τῶι τε δήμωι τῶι Ἀθηναί]|ων Osborne, [τῶι τε κοινῶι τῶν Ἑλλήν]|ων IG | 16 [. . .13. . . οὐκ] IG, [ἐκράτησεν, οὐδαμῶς] Osborne | 23 [. . .10. . .] Osborne, [μετὰ τοῦ ὑου ?] IG | 28-30 [. δ]ραχμῶν· [εἰναι δὲ Τ]ιμ[οσθένην ? Ἀθηναῖον αὐτὸν κ]|[αὶ ἐκγόνους· εἶναι δὲ] α̣[ὐτῶι γράψασθαι φυλῆς καὶ] | [δήμου καὶ φρατρίας - -] Osborne (reading of alpha in 29 questioned by Walbank, JHS 103, 1983, 204-5 = SEG 34.73), [Χ δ]ραχμῶ[ν· εἶναι δὲ Τι]μ[οσθένει - -] IG.

In this decree, passed shortly after the ousting of Demetrios of Phaleron and the "restoration of democracy" in 307/6 BC under the aegis of Antigonos and Demetrios Poliorketes, the Athenians honoured Timosthenes of Karystos, Athenian proxenos in Karystos, who had supported Athens and the allies against Antipater in the Lamian War in 323/2 BC and its aftermath (6-21), and when Kassandros had attempted to regain control of Attica in the "Four Years War", underway at the time this decree was passed (22-23, cf. Plut. Demetr. 23.1-3; Paus. 1.26.3). The proposer, Diotimos of Euonymon, belonged to a prominent and wealthy Athenian family, many members of which were remembered for their commitment to democracy and its preservation. His great-grandfather, Strombichos son of Diotimos, for instance, was general during the Peloponnesian War and was killed under the Thirty; and his uncle Diotimos son of Diopeithes was one of those whose extradition was demanded by Alexander in 335 BC. Cf. Davies, APF 4386. Diotimos was probably one of the leading Athenian politicians of the years 307/6 to 302/1 along with Stratokles of Diomeia and Demochares of Leukonoion. On this decree in the context of a discussion of the treatment of the past in the decrees of early Hellenistic Athens, see E. Culasso Gastaldi, in P. Desideri et al. eds., Construzione e uso del passato storico nella cultura antica (2007), 115-38 (= SEG 58.12). [2] Karystos was the only Euboean city which took part in the allied effort in Lamian war (Diod. 18.11.2). Timosthenes appears to have been largely responsible for that involvement (cf. the role of Euphron of Sikyon in his city, IG II³ 1, 378). [3] Timosthenes was a member of an influential family of Karystos. His grandfather Timosthenes was probably one of the treasurers of Karystos, mentioned in IG XII 9, 7 (364/3 BC). The decree breaks off in the middle of the description of privileges awarded to Timosthenes, but Osborne argues persuasively that they included the Athenian citizenship (his restoration of the text of 28-29 in this sense remains plausible, regardless of whether an alpha is legible in 29). The citizenship was a prerequisite for the grant of sitesis in the prytaneion, alluded to in IG II³ 1 1135, of 229/8 BC, in which another Timosthenes, most likely grandson of our honorand, reaffirmed for himself the privileges granted to his grandfather.

Added: 24 Sep 2021
Updated: 24 Sep 2021
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