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Sylloge Inscriptionum Graecarum: 567


KALYMNA HONOURS LYSANDROS

Greek text:   TitCal_64
Date:     c. 204/1 B.C.
Format:   see key to translations

This inscription shows that the islands in the south of the Aegean Sea faced a real risk of attack by Cretans during the Cretan War at the end of the 3rd century B.C.; but their inhabitants were sometimes prepared to offer effective resistance to these attacks - see the comments of P.Baker in "A Companion to the Hellenistic World", page 385 ( Google Books ).


[A] As proposed by (?) Nikias son of Nikias, Dikastophon son of Tyron, Hagetor son of . . ., Alexikrates son of Lysandros, Tachippos son of Xenodikos and Chairedamos son of Hagnodamos: since after the inhabitants of Hierapytna wickedly started a war against our whole people, the warships and light ships were manned, and Lysandros son of Phoinix was elected to be captain of a tender; and while he was serving in this boat, information arrived that the enemy intended to [sail] against the city and territory and islands of Kalymna with a large [fleet], and the admiral decided to sail against [the enemy]; and in the [ensuing] battle against the enemy at Laketera, Lysandros acted like a brave man; and after he had [gloriously] withstood the danger, remaining alongside the others, he brought back prisoners . . .

  * * *

[B] . . . at the elections for new magistrates, and urge them {the people of Kos} to accept this and to make an announcement at the first games after the truce; and the announcement shall be as follows: "the people of Kalymna crowns Lysandros [son of Phoinix] . . . "

inscription 568


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