Tychandros, the archon named in this decree, is now usually dated to 196/5 B.C., which means that the reign of Pharnakes I must have started earlier than previously thought. For arguments against this date, see C.E.Ghita, "Nysa - A Seleucid Princess in Anatolian Context" ( academia.edu ). The inscription was found on the island of Delos.
Gods. [When Tychandros was archon], in the ninth [prytany], of the Oineis tribe, [for which Sosigenes], son of Menekrates, from Marathon, was secretary, on the fourth day of the month [Elaphebolion], on the nineteenth day of [the prytany]; in full assembly in the theatre; Aktaios of [Athmonon], the son of Simon, [and the other presidents] put it to the vote, [on behalf of the presidents]; it was resolved by the council and the people, as proposed by . . . : since the ancestors of [king Pharnakes] have been [friends] of the Athenian people . . . the benefactions from the past . . . and the king . . . pass a decree . . . Not only did he announce [he would deliver all the remaining goods], but he also delivered to the envoys [a third of them], on the spot, and promised to provide [the rest] shortly; he offered [all he had] to those who had come to him, although they had not done so at a fortunate time; he refused politely to give the rest, because his kingdom was still not properly settled down, but promised nevertheless to send the rest, as had been agreed previously. Therefore with good fortune, the council has decided that the presidents designated by drawing lots should take care of the financial aspects of these matters until the next meeting of the assembly and to present before the people the opinion of the council, as it has been decided by the council. King Pharnakes shall be praised and crowned with a golden wreath as a prize of valour, according to the law; the offering of the crown shall be announced during the next contest of the tragic poets from the city at the Dionysia and during the athletic games of the Panathenaia, Eleusinia and Ptolemaia festivals. It shall also be announced that queen Nysa, daughter of king Antiochos, has married king Pharnaces. It is only fitting for the Athenians to remember good deeds and to show respect for those who have been patrons of the city, themselves descending from patrons of the city. Queen Nysa, daughter of king Antiochos and queen Laodike shall be praised publicly and crowned with a golden wreath according to the law; the offering of the crown shall be announced during the next contest of the tragic poets from the city at the Dionysia and during the athletic games of the Panathenaia, Eleusinia and Ptolemaia festivals. Bronze portraits of both king Pharnakes and queen Nysa shall be set up and consecrated on the island of Delos. The generals and the treasurer of the military funds shall be in charge of the report about the wreaths and the portraits. The people shall elect three men amongst all the Athenians and these shall be in charge of the creation and the erection of the portraits; the secretary of the prytany shall inscribe this decree on a stone stele and set it up beside the statues. The treasurer of the military funds shall [cover] the expenses for the cutting and the setting up of the inscription.
In order to have the due gift sent over at the earliest convenience, in accordance with the king’s choice and his decrees, the people should elect now one man amongst all the Athenians, who, sent to king Pharnakes, shall deliver to him this decree, salute the king and queen on behalf of the people, and, should it be possible, obtain the remaining parts [of the gift] within the year. The elected person shall announce to the king that the people will try to bestow upon him no fewer honours than upon any of the other kings, but will endeavour to arrange all matters that [contribute] to [his] reputation and memory as it has been done in honour of all the other benefactors of the City. The treasurer of the military funds shall provide travel expenses to the elected man.
According to the decree, the person who is to undertake the journey to king Pharnakes has been voted to be Philoxenos of Peiraieus; those who will be in charge of the creation and the erection of the portraits have been voted according to the decree to be Leon of Aixone, Philoxenos of Peiraieus, and Dionysios of Myrrhinoutta.
The council and the people crown king Pharnakes.
The council and the people crown queen Nysa.
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