Translations of Hellenistic Inscriptions: 92

ARGOS HONOURS NIKOKREON, KING OF CYPRUS

Greek text: IG_4.583
Provenance: Argos , Peloponnese
Date: 321-311 B.C.
Format: see key to translations

Hellenistic rulers were always keen to increase their prestige by stressing their links with the cities of Greece, and this epigram shows that Nikokreon, the king of Salamis in Cyprus, claimed to have family connections with Argos. The translation is by P.Bing, in "Belonging and Isolation in the Hellenistic World", page 46 ( Google Books ). A more exact date of 315 B.C. has been suggested by I. Xydopoulos, "The theorodokoi inscription from Nemea and the date of IG IV, 583" ( academia.edu ).

My mother city is the land of Pelops, Pelasgian Argos,
and Pnytagoras my father sprang from the race of Aiakos.
I am Nikokreon, raised in the wave-beaten land
of Cyprus, king from the most divine ancestors.
The Argives set me up to render thanks for the bronze
for Hera, which I would send to the festival as prizes for the youths.

→ inscription 93

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