The historian Polybios was particularly harsh in his criticism of Nabis, and called him a tyrant ( 13.6-8 ). However this decree shows that other states acknowledged Nabis as king of Sparta; and it is unlikely that Delos would have honoured him if he was guilty of piracy, as alleged by Polybios; see A.G.Leventis, "Hellenistic and Roman Sparta", page 65 ( Google Books ).
It was resolved by the council and the people, as proposed by Charilas son of Aristothales; since king Nabis of Lakedaimon, the son of Damaratos, has continually acted nobly towards the temple and the people of Delos, and has provided assistance both publicly to the city and privately to those citizens whom he has encountered, as far as anyone requested; therefore it is resolved by the council and the people, to grant to king Nabis of Lakedaimon, the son of Damaratos, the status of proxenos and benefactor of the temple and of the Delians, for both himself and his descendants. They shall have the right to own land and buildings on Delos, and access to the council and the people, second only to sacred matters; and they shall be granted the other privileges which are awarded to other proxenoi and benefactors of the temple and the Delians. The council shall inscribe this decree in the council-hall, and [the hieropoioi] shall inscribe it in the temple.
Antikrates son of Telemnestos [put it to the vote].
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