Decree of Athenian soldiers stationed at Eleusis, Panakton and Phyle and hypaithroi honouring the general, Demainetos
I Eleusis 211 Date: 209 BC
Gods.
The Athenians stationed at Eleusis and Panakton[1] and
Phyle and those in the open country (hupaithrois)[2] decided: since Demainetos continually
shows good will towards the People, and carried out whatever duties the People elected him to
(5) well and reputably (endoxōs), and often served as ambassador to the Aitolian league,
and likewise to king Philippos,[3] so that the People might maintain friendship and peace with both,
and the city, not being disturbed by one of them, might be restored to
its original state of well-being (eudaimonian); he did not shrink from any toil or danger,
(10) but in word and deed did what was advantageous
for his fatherland; for this, the People often praised him
and crowned him with a gold crown, giving him a worthy reward
for his services to the People; and when he was elected general
in charge of the countryside around Eleusis for the first time, in the archonship of Chairephon (218/7),
(15) he carried out his command well and in a manner worthy of himself,
in accordance with the laws and decrees, and he displayed all foresight
and care (epimeleian) in ensuring that no wrong was done either in
the countryside (chōrai) or in the garrisons (phrouriois); and just so again,
when he was elected for the second time, for the same territory, in the
(20) archonship of Diokles (214/3), he continually outdid himself in his
management (epimeleiai) of the guard and in his love of honour (philotimiai) towards those under his command;
and when he was elected general
in charge of the countryside around Eleusis for the third time, in the archonship of Aischron (210/09),
he took care of the protection of the countryside and of the garrisons (phrouriōn),
(25) as on the previous occasions; and when
the gathering (panēgureōs) at the Great Eleusinia occurred in the years
when he was general, he sacrificed to the goddesses with the
the people at Eleusis (tōn ex Eleusinos), on behalf of the preservation of the People; and he took care
of the festival (teletēs) of the Mysteries during each period that he was general, so that
(30) it could be performed in all safety; and
towards the citizens (politōn) under his command he showed himself
in every respect to be fair (ison) and incorruptible (adōrodokēton);
and he took care of the distribution of salaries (opsōniōn), provided food
willingly so that they could have it as cheaply as possible,
(35) and advanced money for clothing every year,
always ensuring the orderliness (euschēmosunēs) of those under his command;
and he spent not a little of his own means on these things,
being of service to all collectively and considerate to each individually;
in order therefore that the Athenians stationed in
(40) the garrisons (phrouriois) may be seen to honour those who
act with love of reputation (philodoxountas) towards the People and with love of honour (philotimoumenous) towards themselves,[4] for good fortune, the citizens (politōn) stationed
at Eleusis and Panakton and Phyle and those in the open country (hupaithrois) shall
praise Demainetos son of Hermokles of Athmonon and
(45) crown him with a gold crown in accordance with the law and
with a bronze statue, and to place it in the courtyard of the sanctuary (hierou);[5] and to announce the crown at the ancestral contest of the Haloa;
responsible for making the statue and the announcement
shall be the secretary and the treasurer and those who
(50) are appointed.
The following men were appointed for the erection
of the statue:
Kleitophon of Iphistiadai, Xenephon of Berenikidai
- of Paiania, Nikandros of Tyrmeidai.
(55) The Athenians
stationed at
Eleusis and those in the open country (hupaithroi) (crown) Demainetos
son of Hermokles of Athmonon,
(60) who was their
general three times.
col. 1
col. 2