Decree of Cyrene for the citizenship of the Thereans, Therean 'decree' and founders' oath

IGCyr011000

Trismegistos ID: 738200

Source Description

Repository

Cyrene Museum, 8.

Support

High tapering marble stele, in two adjacent pieces, broken away on top, worn out on main side; rectangular cramp sinking on top (0.55-0.62; 1.53;0.28-0.30).

Layout

Inscribed on face.

Letters

0.02 lines 1 and 23; 0.013 elsewhere; carefully cut, but not stoichedon as Ferri thought.

Place of Origin

Cyrene : Sanctuary of Apollo .

Date

Beginning of the fourth century B.C. (lettering)

Findspot

Found by Ferri in 1922 at Cyrene , reused as a step leading to the southern cold pool of the Byzantine Baths .

Last recorded Location

Seen by Dobias-Lalou many times between 1976 and 2010 in Shahat : Cyrene Museum .

Text constituted from

Transcription from stone (CDL).

Bibliography

Ferri, 1925 , pp. 19-24, and pl. II,2, and Oliverio, 1928 , pp. 222-232, and pl. X-XII; Maas, 1929 ; whence SEG , 9.3; Wilhelm, 1951 , pp. 5-7, whence Robert, Bulletin Épigraphique , 1953.252 and SEG , 13.617; Chamoux, 1953 , pp. 105-111; Graham, 1960 , and Jeffery, 1961 , whence SEG , 20.714; Meiggs-Lewis, 1969 , n. 5; Dobias-Lalou, 1994 , whence SEG , 43.1185.

Amongst an overwhelming bibliography, only the most significant studies are retained here: Dušanić, 1978 , whence SEG , 28.1565; Hansen, 1984 , whence SEG , 34.1643; Casevitz, 1985 , whence SEG , 35.1837; Malkin, 1986 , whence SEG , 36.1569; Pugliese Carratelli, 1987 , whence SEG , 37.1668; Gasperini, 1990 , pp. 22-33, whence SEG , 40.1596; Hölkeskamp, 1993 , whence SEG , 43.1184; Walter, 1993 , whence SEG , 43.1275; Van Effenterre-Ruzé, 1994 , n. 41, whence SEG , 44.1735; Moggi, 1995 ; Dickie, 1996 , whence SEG , 46.2387; Gasperini, 1997 , whence SEG , 47.2164; Gabrielsen, 1997 , pp. 120-123, 141-154, whence SEG , 47.2251; Nafissi, 1999 , pp. 252-253, whence SEG , 49.2359; Zimmermann, 1999 , pp. 135-142, whence SEG , 49.2504; Criscuolo, 2001 , whence SEG , 51.2209; Criscuolo, 2007 , and Dobias-Lalou, Bulletin Épigraphique , 2008.606, whence SEG , 57.1999; Alonso Déniz, 2014 ; Dobias-Lalou, 2017 , p. 186-187.

Text

Θεός. Τύχα Ἀγαθά. Δᾶμις Βαθυκλεῦς ἦιπε· περὶ ὧν λέγοντι τοὶ Θηραῖο[ι] Κλευδάμας Εὐθυκλεῦς, ὅπως ἁ πόλις ὀρθῶται καὶ ὁ δ[ᾶ]-μος εὐτυχῆι ὁ Κυραναίων, ἀποδόμεν τοῖς Θηραίοις τ- 5ὰμ πολιτήιαν κατὰ τὰ πάτρια, τὰ οἱ πρόγονοι ἐποιήσαν-το, οἵ τε Κυράναγ κα[τώ]ικιξαν Θήραθε καὶ οἱ ἐν Θήραι [μέ]-νοντες, καθὼς Ἀπόλλων ἔδωκε Βάττωι καὶ τοῖς Θηρ[αί]-οις τοῖς κατοικίξαισι Κυράναν εὐτυχὲν ἐμμένοντας το[ῖς] ὁρκίοις, τὰ οἱ πρόγονοι ἐποιήσαντο αὐτοὶ ποτ’ αὐτός, ὅκ[α] 10τὰν ἀποικίαν ἀπέστελλον κατὰ τὰν ἐπίταξιν τῶ Ἀπό[λ]-λωνος τῶ Ἀρχαγέτα· Ἀγαθᾶι Τύχαι· δεδόχθαι τῶι δάμω[ι]· καταμ̣[ῆ]ναι Θηραίοις ἴσαμ πολιτήιαν καὶ ἐγ Κυράναι κα-τὰ τὰ αὐτά· ποιέσθαι δὲ πάντας Θηραῖος τὸς ἐπιδα̣μέ̣[ν]-τας ἐγ Κυράναι τὸν αὐτὸν ὅρκον, ὅμπερ τοὶ ἄλλοι πο[κ]- 15ὰ δ̣ι̣ώ̣μ̣ο̣σαν· κ̣α̣ὶ̣ καταστᾶμεν ἐς φυλὰν καὶ πάτραν ἐς θ´ {ε} ἐννῆα ἑταιρῆιας. Καταγράφεν δὲ τόδε τὸ ψάφισμα ἐν στάλ[αν] λυγδίναν, θέμεν τὰν στάλαν ἐς τὸ ἱαρὸν τὸ πατρῶιον τ[ῶ] Ἀπόλλωνος τῶ Πυθίω, καταγράφεν καὶ τὸ ὅρκιον ἐς τὰν στάλ[αν], τὸ οἱ οἰκιστῆρες ἐποιήσαντο καταπλεύσαντες Λιβύανδε [σὺ]- 20μ Βάττωι Θήραθε Κυράνανδε. Τό κα ἀνάλωμα τὸ δέηι ἐς τ[ὸν λ]-ᾶον ἢ ἐς τὰγ καταγραφάν, [τ]οὶ ἐπιστάντες ἐπὶ τὸς ἀπολόγος [κο]-μισάσθων ἀπὸ τᾶν Ἀπόλλωνος προσόδων. Ὅρκιον τῶν οἰκιστήρων. [Ἔ]δοξε τᾶι ἐκκλησίαι· ἐπεὶ Ἀπόλλων αὐτομάτιξεν Β[άτ]- 25τωι καὶ Θηραίοις ἀποι[κίξαι] Κυράναν, ὁριστὸν δοκεῖ Θη[ραί]-[ο]ις ἀποπέμπεν̣ ἐς τὰν [Λιβ]ύαν Βάττομ μὲν ἀρχαγέτα[ν τε] καὶ βασιλῆα· ἑταίρους δὲ Θηραίους πλέν ἐπὶ τᾶι ἴσα[ι κ]-αὶ τᾶι ὁμοίαι πα̣[ρ ἕκαστον] ο̣ἶ̣κον· υἱὸν δὲ ἕνα καταλ[έ]-γεσθαι· τός τε ἄλλος [πολιάτας] τοὺς ἡβῶντας, καὶ τῶν [ἄλ]- 30[λ]ων Θηραίων ἐλευθέρος [ὅ κα λῆι] πλέν. Αἰ μὲν δέ κα κατέχ[ων]-τι τὰν οἰκισίαν οἱ ἄποικοι, [τῶν Θηραίων] τὸγ καταπλέον[τα] ὕστερον εἰς Λιβύαν [καὶ π]ο̣[λιτήιας] καὶ τιμᾶμ πεδέχ[εν] καὶ γᾶς τᾶς ἀδεσπότω [ἀπολαγ]χάνεν. Αἰ δέ κα μὴ κατ[έχ]-ωντι τὰν οἰκισίαν μη̣[δὲ τὰν πό]λ̣ιν δύνανται ἐπικτί[ζε]- 35ν, ἀλλὰ ἀνάγκαι ἀχθῶντι, ἔ̣τ̣η̣ ἐπὶ πέντε ἐκ τᾶς γᾶς ἀπίμ[εν] ἀδιέως Θήρανδε ἐπὶ τὰ αὐτῶγ χρήματα καὶ ἦμεμ πολιά̣[τ]-ας.Ὁ δέ κα μὴ λῆι πλὲν ἀποστελλοίσας τᾶς πόλιος, θανά[σι]-μος τένται καὶ τὰ χρήματα ἔστω αὐτοῦ δαμόσια.Ὁ δὲ ἀπ-οδεκόμενος ἢ ἀδήιζων ἢ πατὴρ υἱὸν ἢ ἀδελφεὸς ἀδελ- 40φεὸν παισεῖται ἅπερ ὁ μὴ λέων πλέν. Ἐπὶ τούτοις ὅρκια ἐπ-οιήσαντο οἵ τε αὐτεῖ μένον[τ]ες καὶ οἱ πλέοντες οἰκιξόντε-ς καὶ ἀρὰς ἐποιήσαντο τὸς ταῦτα παρβέωντας καὶ μὴ ἐμ-μένοντας ἢ τῶν ἐλ Λιβύαι οἰκεόντων ἢ τῶν αὐτεῖ μεν-όντων. Κηρίνος πλάσσαντες κολοσὸς κατέκαιον ἐπα- 45ρεώμενοι πάντες συνενθόντες καὶ ἄνδρες καὶ γυναῖκ-ες καὶ παῖδες καὶ παιδίσκαι· τὸμ μὴ ἐμμένοντα τούτοις τοῖς ὁρκίοις ἀλλὰ παρβέωντα καταλείβεσθαί νιν καὶ κα-ταρρὲν ὥσπερ τὸς κολοσός, καὶ αὐτὸν καὶ γόνον καὶ χρή-ματα· τοῖς δὲ ἐμμένοισιν τούτοις τοῖς ὁρκίοις καὶ τοῖς 50πλέοισι ἐλ Λιβύαν κ[αὶ] τ[οῖς μέ]νοισι ἐν Θήραι ἦμεν πολλ-ὰ καὶ ἀγαθὰ καὶ αὐ[τοῖς καὶ ἐκγό]νοις. -

Apparatus

8 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  κατοικίξαισι : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928 , Wilhelm, 1951 , Chamoux, 1953 , Graham, 1960 , Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  κατοικίξασι

12 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  καταμ̣[ῆ]ναι : Oliverio, 1928  καταμεῖναι : Ferri, 1925  καταν̣εῖμ̣αι (Wilamowitz's reading)

13 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  ποιέσθαι : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928 , Wilhelm, 1951 , Chamoux, 1953 , Graham, 1960 , Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  ποιεῖσθαι || Ferri, 1925  Θηραῖος : Oliverio, 1928  Θηραίους

13-14 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  ἐπιδα̣μέ̣[ν]|τας : Oliverio, 1928  έπιδ̣η̣μ̣έ̣[ον]|τας

14-15 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  πο[κ]|ὰ : Oliverio, 1928  ποτ|ὲ

15 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  δ̣ι̣ώ̣μ̣ο̣σαν : Oliverio, 1928  δ̣ι̣ώ̣ρκωσαν

15-16 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  θ´ {ε} | ἐννῆα : Ferri, 1925  ἐς θ᾿ἑ | ν[ν]έα : Oliverio, 1928  ἔς θε | ἑννῆα

16 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  ἑταιρῆιας : Oliverio, 1928  ἑταιρήας

17 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  τὸ ἱαρὸν τὸ πατρῶιον : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928 , Wilhelm, 1951 , Chamoux, 1953 , Graham, 1960 , Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  τὸ ἱαρὸν πατρῶιον : Oliverio, 1928  τῶ

20 Oliverio, 1928  Θήραθε : Ferri, 1925  Θηραίω[ι ἐς] : Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  Θήραθεν (Fraser's reading)

21 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  [τ]οὶ : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928 , Wilhelm, 1951 , Chamoux, 1953 , Graham, 1960 , Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  οἱ || Dobias-Lalou, 1994  τᾶν : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928 , Wilhelm, 1951 , Chamoux, 1953 , Graham, 1960 , Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  τῶν

27 Θηραίους : Oliverio, 1928  [τοὺς Θη]ραίους (very faint traces of letters for the restored part)

28 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  πλ[ὲν κατὰ τὸν] ο̣ἶ̣κον : Oliverio, 1928  πλὲν κατὰ [τὸν] οἶκον (very faint traces of letters for the restored part)

29 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  τός τε ἄλλος [πολιάτας] : Oliverio, 1928  τ[ε ἀπὸ τῶγ χώρων ἁπάντων] : Wilhelm, 1951  τ[ῶ οἴκω ἑκάστω, πλὲν δὲ] : Jeffery, 1961  τῶ̣[ν δὲ ἀστῶν πλὲν ἑκατὸν] : Jeffery, 1961  τῶ̣[ν δὲ περιοίκων ἑκατὸν] : Meiggs-Lewis, 1969  ΤΟΣ̣Δ̣ΕΕΛ̣Ο̣[c. 10] κ̣α̣ὶ̣ (Fraser's reading)

30 Oliverio, 1928  ἐλευθέρος [ὅ κα λῆι] : Jeffery, 1961  ἐλευθέρος [ἑκατὸν]

31 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  [τῶν Θηραίων] : Oliverio, 1928  [τῶν οἰκεί]ων (very faint traces of letters for the restored part)

32 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  [καὶ π]ο̣[λιτήιας] : Oliverio, 1928  [καὶ πολιτήιας] (very faint traces of letters for the restored part)

34 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  μη̣[δὲ τὰν πό]λ̣ιν : Oliverio, 1928  μηδὲ[οἱ Θηραῖοι] μιν (very faint traces of letters for the restored part) : Ferri, 1925  [καὶ τοὶ Θηραῖοι] μὴ

34-35 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  ἐπικτί[ζε]|ν : Ferri, 1925  ἐπικού[ρε]|ν : Oliverio, 1928  ἐπικο[υρέ]|ν (very faint traces of letters for the restored part)

38 Maas, 1929 ,  τένται : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928  τ᾿ἔνται

39-40 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  ἀδελφεὸς ἀδελ|φεὸν : Ferri, 1925  ἀδελφεὸς ἀ[δελ]|φεὸν : Oliverio, 1928  ἀδελφε«ὸ»ς ἀδελ|φεὸν

51 Dobias-Lalou, 1994  [καὶ ἐκγό]νοις : Ferri, 1925 , Oliverio, 1928  [καὶ γό]νοις

French translation

Dieu. Bonne fortune.

Proposition de Damis fils de Bathyklès: vu la proposition faite au nom des Théréens par Kleudamas fils d'Euthyklès pour le succès de la cité et la prospérité du peuple des Cyrénéens, à savoir rendre aux Théréens le droit de cité conformément aux traditions établies par nos ancêtres, tant ceux qui fondèrent Cyrène en venant de Théra que ceux qui restèrent à Théra, lorsqu'Apollon accorda à Battos et aux Théréens fondateurs de Cyrène de vivre prospères à condition de respecter les serments échangés par nos ancêtres (10) lorsqu'ils firent partir l'expédition colonisatrice selon la prescription d'Apollon Archégète; à la bonne fortune, plaise au peuple: Que soit maintenue pour les Théréens l'égalité des droits civiques, même à Cyrène, dans les mêmes conditions; que tous les Théréens résidant à Cyrène prêtent le même serment que celui qu'ont prêté jadis les autres; qu'ils s'établissent dans une tribu, une patra et dans (l'une) des neuf hétairies; que l'on grave ce décret sur une stèle de marbre blanc et que l'on place la stèle dans le sanctuaire ancestral d'Apollon Pythien; que l'on grave aussi sur la stèle le serment qu'ont prêté les fondateurs lorsqu'ils eurent débarqué en Libye (20) en compagnie de Battos, arrivant de Thèra à Cyrène; quant à la dépense nécessaire pour la pierre ou la gravure, que les préposés aux comptes y pourvoient sur les recettes d'Apollon.

Clauses du serment des fondateurs

Il a plu à l'assemblée: attendu qu'Apollon a spontanément prescrit à Battos et aux Théréens de fonder la colonie de Cyrène, les Théréens considèrent comme décision définitive d'envoyer en Libye Battos comme chef de la mission et roi; que pour l'accompagner s'embarquent des Théréens; qu'ils s'embarquent dans des conditions égales et semblables pour chaque famille, à raison d'un seul fils enrôlé; que puissent aussi s'embarquer tous les autres [citoyens] adultes et, (30) parmi le reste des Théréens, tout homme libre [qui le voudra]. Si les colons maintiennent leur installation, que celui des Théréens qui fera par la suite la traversée vers la Libye obtienne sa part des [droits civiques] et des honneurs et reçoive par tirage au sort un lot de terre sans propriétaire; si au contraire ils ne maintiennent pas leur installation et ne sont pas en mesure de poursuivre l'établissement de leur cité mais sont accablés par la nécessité, que pendant un délai de cinq ans ils quittent leur terre sans crainte (pour regagner) Théra et leurs biens et qu'ils y exercent leurs droits de citoyens; quiconque refusera de partir alors que la cité veut l'envoyer sera passible de mort et ses biens seront confisqués; quiconque le recueillera ou le cachera, qu'il s'agisse d'un père pour son fils ou d'un frère pour son frère, (40) subira la même peine que le réfractaire.

Telles sont les clauses sur lesquelles ils prêtèrent serment, aussi bien ceux qui restaient sur place que ceux qui embarquaient pour faire oeuvre colonisatrice, et ils prononcèrent des imprécations contre ceux qui transgresseraient ces clauses et ne s'y conformeraient pas, soit parmi ceux qui seraient établis en Libye, soit parmi ceux qui restaient sur place. Ayant façonné des figurines de cire, ils les firent brûler pendant qu'ils prononçaient ces imprécations, tous réunis, hommes, femmes, garçons et filles: "Qui ne sera pas fidèle à ces clauses de serment, mais les transgressera, qu'il fonde et se liquéfie comme les figurines, lui-même, sa descendance et ses biens. Que ceux qui respecteront ces clauses de serment, aussi bien (50) ceux qui s'embarquent pour la Libye que ceux qui [restent] à Thèra, connaissent toutes les prospérités, eux-mêmes [et leurs descendants]".

English translation

God. Good Fortune.

It was proposed by Damis son of Bathykles: about the proposal made on behalf of the Theraeans by Kleudamas son of Euthykles with a view to success and prosperity for the people of the Cyrenaeans, that is to say to give back city-rights to the Theraeans in accordance with the arrangements of our ancestors, both those who, coming from Thera, founded Cyrene and those who remained in Thera, since Apollo granted the Theraeans who founded Cyrene to live in prosperity if ever they would abide with the oaths taken with one another by our ancestors when (10) they dispatched the founding expedition following Apollo Archagetas’ injunction; to the Good Fortune, may it seem good to the people: That the Theraeans should keep on equal civic rights also in Cyrene in the same terms; that all Theraeans living at Cyrene should take the same oath as the one taken once by the others; that they settle themselves into a tribe, a patra and (one amongst) the nine hetaireiai ; that this decree should be engraved on a white marble stele and that the stele should be placed into the ancestral sanctuary of Apollo Pythios; that on the stele should also be engraved the oath that was taken by the founders when they landed in Libya (20) with Battos, arriving from Thera to Cyrene; as to the expense necessary for the stone or the engraving, those in charge of the accounts should provide it from Apollo’s income.

Clauses of the oath of the founders

It seemed good to the assembly: whereas Apollo spontaneously declared that Battos and the Theraeans should settle the colony of Cyrene, the Theraeans consider it decided that Battos should be sent to Libya as chief of mission and king; that Theraeans should sail off as companions; that they should sail off on equal and same terms from each family, one son being chosen from each family; that would also be allowed to sail off all the other [citizens] of age and (30) among the rest of the Theraeans any free man [who would be willing]; that, if the settlers hold on the settlement, anyone amongst the Theraeans who would later on sail to Libya should take part in the [ civil rights] and honours and should receive by lot a portion of owner-free land; that if on the contrary they do not hold on the settlement and are not able to settle on the city but are compelled by overwhelming necessity, they should within five years fearless leave the country (and sail back) to Thera and their belongings and be full-right citizens; that anyone who would refuse to sail when the city wants to send him would be liable to death penalty and his belongings should be confiscated; that anyone who would shelter or conceal him, be it a father for his son or a brother for his brother, (40) should be liable to the same penalty as the rebel.

Such are the clauses on which they took oath, as well those who remained on the spot as those who were sailing off with the aim of settlement, and they uttered curses against who would transgress those clauses and would not abide to them, either amongst those settled in Libya or amongst those remaining on the spot. Having formed waxen figurines, they burnt them off, all together, men, women, boys and girls, while uttering these curses: "Whoever will not abide to the clauses of that oath, but will transgress them, should melt away and flow down like the figurines, himself, his offspring and his belongings. Whoever will abide to these clauses, either (50) one sailing off towards Libya or one [remaining] in Thera, should enjoy all sorts of prosperity for himself [ and his offspring ]".

Italian translation

Dio. Buona Fortuna.

Proposta di Damis figlio di Bathykles: considerato quanto dice a nome dei Terei Kleudamas figlio di Euthykles per il successo della città e la prosperità del popolo dei Cirenei, vale a dire di concedere ai Terei il diritto di cittadinanza in conformità con le tradizioni stabilite dai nostri antenati, sia quelli che fondarono Cirene provenienti da Tera sia quelli che restarono a Tera, quando Apollo accordò a Battos e ai Terei fondatori di Cirene di vivere in prosperità a condizione di rispettare i giuramenti scambiati reciprocramente dai nostri antenati quando (10) inviarono la spedizione colonizzatrice secondo la prescrizione di Apollo Archegetes; alla Buona Fortuna, piaccia al popolo: che sia mantenuta per i Terei l'uguaglianza dei diritti civici anche a Cirene, alle stesse condizioni; che tutti i Terei residenti a Cirene pronuncino lo stesso giuramento che gli altri giurarono un tempo; che siano inseriti in una tribù, in una patra e in (una) delle nove eterie; che si incida questo decreto su di una stele di marmo bianco e che si collochi la stele nel santuario ancestrale di Apollo Pizio; che si incida anche sulla stele il giuramento che pronunciarono i fondatori quando sbarcarono in Libia (20) in compagnia di Battos, arrivando da Tera a Cirene; quanto alla spesa necessaria per la pietra o per l'incisione, che gli addetti preposti ai conti provvedano dalle entrate di Apollo.

Clausole del giuramento dei fondatori.

È parso giusto all'assemblea: poiché Apollo ha spontaneamente prescritto a Battos e ai Terei di fondare la colonia di Cirene, i Terei considerano come decisione definitiva di inviare in Libia Battos come capo della missione e re; che per accompagnarlo si imbarchino dei Terei; che si imbarchino in condizioni di parità e uguaglianza per ogni famiglia, nella misura di un solo figlio scelto (per famiglia); che si possano imbarcare anche tutti gli altri [cittadini] adulti (30) e, tra gli altri Terei, ogni uomo libero [che lo vorrà]. Se i coloni mantengono il loro insediamento, colui tra i Terei che faccia in séguito la traversata verso la Libia ottenga la sua parte dei [diritti civici] e degli onori e riceva in sorte un lotto della terra senza proprietario; se, al contrario, essi non mantengono il loro insediamento e non sono in grado di fondare la città ma soffrano per la sventura, dopo cinque anni lascino la terra senza timore (per far ritorno) a Tera e ai loro beni e ne siano cittadini; chiunque si rifiuti di partire nel momento in cui la città lo invia sarà punibile con la morte e i suoi beni saranno confiscati; chiunque lo accolga o lo nasconda, che si tratti di un padre per suo figlio o di un fratello per suo fratello, (40) subirà la stessa pena di chi non vuole partire.

Tali sono le clausole sulle quali prestarono giuramento, sia quelli che restarono sul posto sia quelli che si imbarcarono per fondare una colonia, ed essi pronunciarono delle maledizioni contro coloro che avessero trasgredito queste clausole e non si fossero ad esse conformati, sia tra coloro che si fossero stabiliti in Libia sia tra coloro che fossero rimasti sul posto. Dopo aver modellato delle statuette di cera, le fecero bruciare mentre pronunciavano queste maledizioni, tutti riuniti, uomini, donne, fanciulli e fanciulle:"Chi non sarà fedele a queste clausole di giuramento, ma le trasgredirà, che fonda e si liquefaccia come le statuette, lui, la sua discendenza e i suoi beni. Coloro che rispetteranno queste clausole di giuramento, (50) sia coloro che si imbarcano per la Libia sia coloro che [restano] a Tera, abbiano ogni bene, loro [e i loro discendenti]".

Commentary

Restorations which are not mentioned in apparatus are Oliverio's. Most of the different readings adopted here are from Dobias-Lalou, 1994 . Slight differences in certainty for one letter have been dropped from the apparatus.

At line 15 ΘΕ (either read θ᾿ἑ or θε) has been supposed by all commentators to have an aspirate under influence of a ghost-form ἑννῆα with an aspirate that never existed. We prefer θ to be a symbol of numeral, followed by erroneously written here as beginning of ἐννῆα, whereas the word is written in full at next line.

Historical commentaries are numerous. The debate about the genuineness of the different parts is somewhat biased because of modern ideas about authenticity. It is clear anyway 1) that no decree such as the one presented here in the second part (ll. 24-40) could have been taken in archaic Thera; 2) that the third part (ll. 40-51) is not the exact formula of an oath but rather a chronicle of events including an oath. The linguistic analysis appended to Dobias-Lalou's re-reading is a confirmation of that threefold structure.

We now follow Alonso Déniz's explanation of the meaning of the verb ἀδηίζω at line 39: 'make invisible, conceal'.

As rightly pointed out by Berthelot, 2016 , the infinitive καταστᾶμεν should have an intransitive, whence reflexive, meaning. The Theraeans will be able to choose the division of the city into which they will be registered.

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