Many ancient authors describe the cruel and despotic behaviour of Ptolemy VIII after he became king ( for instance, Just_38.8 ). But documents show that several leading courtiers of Ptolemy VI continued to hold high offices under the new king. Seleukos son of Bithys was clearly a man of influence by the time of this inscription, and nearly twenty years later he is recorded as the Ptolemaic governor of Cyprus (OGIS_151 ).
When Patreas was [archon], and the members of the council for the first six months were Astyochos, Archelaos [and Nikias], it was resolved by the city of Delphi in full assembly: since the theoroi who were sent to king Ptolemaios - Astyochos and Euagoras - have arrived back and have reported to the city that Seleukos of Alexandria, the son of Bithys, is [continually] acting as a good man towards the temple and the city of Delphi; he attaches the greatest important to piety [towards] the gods, and has provided his assistance at every opportunity, [both] publicly to the city and provately to those of the citizens who meet him, in whatever matter they [request] him; and he eagerly co-operates with those Delphians who come to meet king Ptolemaios in whatsoever matters they need help, and he always says and does what is advantageous with respect to the king for the temple and city of Delphi; therefore, concerning [these matters], with good fortune it is resolved by the city of Delphi to praise Seleukos of Alexandria, the son of Bithys, [for] the good attitude that he continually has towards the temple and the city, and to crown [him] with a wreath of the god's [laurel], as is traditional at Delphi. He [and his descendants] shall have proxeny, priority in access to the oracle, priority in receiving justice, inviolability, freedom from taxes, privileged seating at all the games [that the city holds], and the other privileges that are granted to other proxenoi and benefactors of the city. [The overseers] of the Soteria - Andromenes and Philokrates - shall inscribe this decree and set it up in the [most prominent] place in the temple.
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