back

Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum: 25.447


AMNESTY DECREE OF ALIPHEIRA


Greek text:   IPArk_24
Provenance:     Alipheira , Peloponnese
Date:   c. 273 B.C.
Tags:     exiles ,   freedom ,   pirates
Format:   see key to translations

This inscription is usually dated to 273 B.C., on the assumption that Kleonymos who expelled the 'pirates' was Kleonymos of Sparta, the son of Kleomenes II; but the identification is not certain - see W.K.Pritchett, "Studies in Ancient Greek Topography", pp.45-46 ( Google Books ). Parts of the inscription have been translated by A.Chaniotis, "Moving Stones: The Study of Emotions in Greek Inscriptions", page 92 ( academia.edu ) and T.J.Abbott, "The Ancient Greek Secretary", page 182 ( PDF ). The provisions of the decree are summarised by E.Carawan, "The Athenian Amnesty and Reconstructing the Law", pp.57-58 ( Google Books ).



God. Good fortune. On these conditions . . .

[After] Kleonymos removed the garrison, drove the pirates away, and gave the city its freedom, let no man feel anger because of memories, and let no one start lawsuits for bloodshed that occurred before the time when Kleonymos drove away the garrison of Aristolaos and the pirates.

The fines which Milon and Apelichos were liable to pay to the city for the grain shall be remitted, and the damiorgoi and the chreonomoi shall examine the cases of voluntary exile {lipodamiai} 10 and the inscribed records.

Xenophon and the other damiorgoi, and Xenokrates and the other chreonomoi, shall not be subject to any penalty when they act according to the covenant; and if anyone does not comply with this, he shall be liable to a fine of ten thousand drachmas, sacred to Athena, and he shall be accursed.

The damiorgoi, having written the stele, shall set it up in the sanctuary of Athena, and they shall set down also the [oath] which we swore when Kleonymos came, in the temple of the [goddess]. No one shall bring a prosecution against private individuals concerning previous [contracts], unless someone acts as surety on behalf of the city, as resolved by the [council].

There shall be a [distraint] of a mina and twenty staters, according to the provisions of Eumelos, 20 [when] someone has acted as [surety] with the approval of the damiorgos.

For the future, no one shall recall the debt crisis or [demand] payments or force into exile either a magistrate or [a private citizen]. If anyone violates these conditions, he shall be liable to a penalty under the [covenant].


Attalus' home page   |   16.01.19   |   Any comments?