Decree of the orgeones of Bendis (240/39 BC)
IG II2 1283 Date: 240/39 BC
Gods
In the archonship of Polystratos (240/39),[1] on the eighth of Hekatombaion,
at the principal assembly. Sosias son of Hippokrates proposed:
since the Athenian People has granted to the Thracians alone
(5) among all foreign peoples (ethnōn) the right to acquire land (egktēsin) and found a
sanctuary, in accordance with the oracle (manteian) from Dodona,[2] and to conduct a procession
from the hearth in the city hall (prutaneiou),[3] and now those
who have been selected in the city[4] to establish (kataskeuasasthai) a sanctuary think that
we should be on friendly terms with one another; in order therefore that
(10) the orgeones too may be seen both to obey the law of the city
which instructs the Thracians to conduct the procession
to Piraeus and to be on friendly terms with the orgeones in the city,
for good fortune the orgeones shall decide,
that however those in the city choose to organise
(15) their procession, let them process from the city hall (prutaneiou) to the Piraeus along with those from the Piraeus;
and the managers (epimelētas) in the Piraeus shall receive them,
providing them in the Nymphaion with sponges and basins and [water] and crowns (stephanous), and a meal (ariston) in the sanctuary such as they
(20) prepare for themselves; and when the sacrifices occur,
the priest and the priestess shall pray, in addition to the prayers which they (usually) pray,
also for the orgeones in the city in the same way,[5] in order that,
these things coming to pass and the whole (Thracian) people (ethnous) being of one mind,
the sacrifices to the gods and everything else that is proper
(25) may take place in accordance with the traditions of the Thracians and the laws of the city,
and the relations of the whole (Thracian) people (ethnei) with the gods may be on a good and pious footing;
and if they want to approach the (Piraeus) orgeones on any other matter,
they shall always have [the right of first access] after the preliminary rituals, and if any of the orgeones [in the city want] (30) to join [the orgeones (in the Piraeus) they may be allowed] to join and [receive their] portion for life [without paying the dues] . . .