In 154 B.C. Ptolemy VI of Egypt attacked his rebellious brother Ptolemy Euergetes in Cyprus, and forced him to surrender. As this inscription makes clear, there was a large contingent of Cretans in the king's army. The translation is adapted from E.R.Bevan, "The House of Ptolemy", pp.301-2.
. . . pardon for the offences committed [throughout the kingdom] . . . to treat him as a kinsman [and friend], and the king being, in accordance with previous actions in regard to him, holy and pious, and the most humane of all men, he made friendship [and] peace, showing a great spirit in all his dealings, making it a chief object of his policy to gratify the Romans. In order, therefore, that those who fought as the allies of king Ptolemaios in Cyprus, and had a share in the glory, may be shown to pay regard to fine and memorable actions, and not forget the benefits bestowed upon their several native cities, but [always] to render the gratitude [which such benefits deserve towards the benefactors]; with good fortune, it is resolved [to praise] king Ptolemaios, [and to crown him with a golden crown], and to set up [two bronze statues of him], the most beautiful possible, [one in Delos, and the other] in Crete, in [the city] appointed [by the league] . . .
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