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Sylloge Inscriptionum Graecarum: 739


DELPHI HONOURS MENANDROS OF THYRRHEION

Greek text:   FD_3.3.338
Date:     early 1st century B.C.
Format:   see key to translations

According to R.A.Kaster, "Guardians of Language", p. 123 ( Google Books ), this is the only known instance of a grammarian declining to accept the fee that he was offered, in the whole of antiquity.


The Delphians granted to the grammarian Menandros of Thyrrheion in Acarnania, but designated as of Kassōpē, the son of Daidalos, both for himself and for his descendants, proxeny, priority in consulting the oracle, priority in receiving justice, inviolability, freedom from taxes, privileged seating at the games that the city holds, and the other honours that are given to other proxenoi and benefactors of the city; since he came to Delphi, and made an offering of his learning to the god and to the city; and sitting in the gymnasium he provided classes, for which he won a good reputation; and when a loan was offered to him by the city, he did not accept it, saying that he was residing in Delphi to honour the god and out of respect for Delphi; and for all these reasons it was resolved to invite him to the public hearth, and the aforesaid honours were granted to him; when Aiakidas son of Babylos was archon, and the members of the council were Orthaios, Theoxenos, Antigenes and Philagros.

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