AgoraXV 295 Honours for a prytany treasurer

Honours for a prytany treasurer

Agora XV 295 Date: mid-1st century BC - early 1st century AD

[Since the prytaneis] of [ - in the archonship of - ] declare [to the Council that the treasurer, To-]^[1] . . . [privately] and publicly [being a good man, serving as treasurer a first and] [second time], and [serving as treasurer] a third time, has performed [processions] (5)[and sacrifices] and, having taken on [more for the] benefit [of the] city and being treasurer [towards the end of his life], for a fourth time, [made] sacrifices [from his own resources piously] and with love of honour (philotimōs) and [treated] the prytaneis philanthropically, and for this they call on [the Council to allow] (10)them to make the dedication of a painted [image of him on a] gilt [shield] in the Asklepieion, [for good fortune, the Council shall decide] to praise and crown [with a foliage crown] the treasurer of the prytaneis, To- . . . [for his] piety (eusebeia) [towards the] gods and that he receive a funeral (epikēdeusai) [with the proper care?],^[2] (15)and also to allow [the prytaneis and those with perpetual dining rights (aisitois)] to make the [dedication] of the image (eikonos) . . .

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References:

Agora XV 295 (Translated text) (PHI)

SEG 25.134 (PHI)

Schmalz 36

Translation by: Chris de Lisle

Images: Agora Excavations - (1)

Monument type: Stele

Inscription type: Decree (Council)

Findspot: Agora (Ag. I 579)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This is a prytany decree of the post-Sullan type, in which the Council permits the prytany and the aeisitoi ("those with perpetual dining rights," various magistrates and priests entitled ex officio to dine in the tholos every night) to make a dedication honouring their treasurer for successful completion of sacrifices on behalf of the community (see SEG 28.95 with notes). The decree diverges from normal formulae to emphasise the treasurer's multiple terms of service (cf. the double tenure in Agora XV 293, which is somewhat earlier). Because of these unusual formulae, the restorations in ll. 3–6 and 14 are not secure. In Classical times, no one could serve on the Council more than twice in their lifetime. This treasurer's four terms of service show that this rule was no longer in force (cf. S. D. Lambert, IALD II, 261-62 for Hellenistic evidence for prytaneis serving more than two times); six further examples of Councillors serving more than twice are attested in the second and third centuries AD. Like the treasurer in this case, most examples are liturgists responsible for funding the prytany's activities. [2] Epikēdeusai (l. 14), here translated as "hold a funeral," is a rare word derived from kēdos (grief, funerary rites). Funerary rituals are not attested among the responsibilities of the treasurer or the prytany; B. D. Meritt proposes that the treasurer had died in office and that the Council therefore grants him a state funeral (Hesperia 37, 1968, 278–79 = SEG 25.134).

Added: 24 Sep 2023
Updated: 24 Sep 2023
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