Apart from the inscriptions dedicated to Egyptian gods ( see THI_58 ), few Hellenistic inscriptions have survived in Thessalonikē, although they would have been helpful in illustrating the background to the growth of the early Christian church in the city. The best-preserved decree is translated here.
The translation is adapted from J.R. Harrison, "An Epigraphic Profile of Thessalonica from the Hellenistic Age to the Roman Empire" ( Google Books ), which provides a good overview of the ancient inscriptions of the city.
The youths {neoi}. Athenagoras son of Apollodoros, Pyrros son of Kleitomachos, Neikostratos son of Neikomachos, Diogenes son of Epigenes, Straton son of Xenon, Neikeratos son of Androkles proposed the motion: Since Paramonos son of Antigonos, who was elected gymnasiarch for the year 53, has engaged very eagerly in the oversight of the office with [decency], zealously offering himself among those who provide for public expenses and increasing the customary honours . . . for the gods and Roman benefactors; and being concerned with good order in the place and generally endeavouring after that which is most proper in all things, he has not neglected the related expense, but rather has completed his term of office . . . . . . having given the oil; and it is good that those who aspire to public recognition should obtain the appropriate honours, so that others also when they observe the honours bestowed by the youths might strive for similar honours; therefore it was resolved by those who use the gymnasium to commend Paramonos for his aspiration to public recognition and to honour him with a crown of olive branches and a bronze image, life-sized and painted; and the honorific decree shall be engraved on a stone stele and set up in a conspicuous place in the gymnasium; expenses for the painted image and the stele are to be met by the treasurers in office. Sanctioned by vote in the year 53, on the tenth day from the end of Hyperbertaios.
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