Support: White marble slightly tapering stele broken on top and chipped off at many places (w: 0.365-0.400 × h: 1.29 × d: 0.140-0.143).

Layout: Inscribed on front face with l. 80 added on the lower lintel.

Letters: Ll. 1-79 0.011 to 0.013; l.80 0.016.

Date: End of the second or beginning of the first century BC (lettering).

Findspot: Found in 1960 at Taucheira ➚ (the city being re-named Arsinoe at the time of the inscription): re-used as door-jamb in the East church.

Place of origin: Taucheira.

Last recorded location: Observed by A. Laronde and C. Dobias-Lalou in 1976 at Tūkrah: Tocra Museum.

Text constituted from: Transcription from stone (CDL).

Apparatus

French translation

[---Dè?]mètrios [---] les gérontes [---] il a plu : Attendu qu'Aleximakhos fils de Sôsistratos, l'un de nos concitoyens, ne cesse de manifester en toute occasion la plus grand prévenance pour notre cité; attendu que nous lui devons déjà beaucoup de (10) grands bienfaits, car il a en public et en privé un comportement plein de qualités et de bonté envers les populations et les cités; attendu qu'il manifeste dans sa conduite l'antique vertu de sa famille en agissant en chaque occasion d'une manière digne de la conduite de ses ancêtres, en manifestant la plus grande prévenance tant en actes qu'en paroles, en se consacrant aux intérêts de la cité — ainsi (20) dans l'exercice d'une de nos magistratures, il a fait une contribution d'argent en rapport avec la situation de guerre pour la surveillance de la cité, sans se laisser distancer par aucun concitoyen en vue du redressement de la patrie, comme le révèlent les marques d'honneur qui lui ont été accordées dans les endroits les plus en vue; attendu que, lors des séjours des stratèges, ne faisant défaut sur aucun point (30) qui soit en son pouvoir, en apportant son concours à sa patrie et à ses concitoyens, il démontre son dévouement envers tous; attendu que, lors de la guerre [contre les Libyens?], le grain venant à manquer et la cité souhaitant envoyer des marchands de blé à Leptis, constatant en cette occasion encore l'accablement de ses propres concitoyens lié à la situation de guerre et ne voulant (40) pas moins prendre sa part de l'action, en homme extrêmement patriote et généreux tant en réputation qu'en valeur, voyant que la somme disponible était faible et agissant en conformité avec les vertus inscrites dans les lois, constatant que le prix du grain montait, il prit à sa charge les fonds pour l'achat du blé, en sorte que le grain fût vendu au détail 2 talents 30 mines; attendu que, désireux (50) d'acheminer le grain rapidement, il s'engagea généreusement à ce que l'accroissement de sa propre fortune fût consacré avant tout au service public en vue du salut des populations; attendu qu'il est juste et convenable que les hommes de bien reçoivent des honneurs privilégiés et obtiennent de ce fait une faveur d'exception, afin que tous les autres, constatant que la cité ne se dérobe pas à son devoir de reconnaissance, (60) se consacrent à leur tour aux intérêts de la cité et obtiennent les mêmes avantages; Plaise aux gérontes et au conseil: d'accorder l'éloge à Aleximakhos fils de Sôsistratos en raison de ses bienfaits passés; que, outre les honneurs dont il jouit déjà,la cité lui érige une statue de bronze sur l'agora des dieux à l'emplacement qu'il choisira lui même, portant (70) l'inscription suivante: "(scil. Statue d')Aleximakhos fils de Sositratos, citoyen d'Arsinoè, (scil. érigée par) les Arsinoéens en raison de sa valeur et du dévouement qu'il ne cesse de manifester envers la cité"; que les éphores fassent ériger la statue et près d'elle une stèle de marbre blanc portant copie du présent décret; que pour la dépense en vue de la stèle, les trésoriers accordent sur les fonds publics 600 drachmes. (80) Jetons blancs (i.e. votes favorables): 109.

English translation

[--- De?]metrios [---] the gerontes [---] it was decided : Given that Aleximachos son of Sosistratos, one of our fellow citizens, is always showing the best forethought on behalf or our city and that we owe him many (10) great services already done; given that his public and private behaviour is fair and benevolent towards the masses and the cities; given that he is expressing the ancient goodness of his family, while acting on all occasions in accordance with his ancestors' behaviour, showing the best forethought in speech and act, devoting himself to the benefit of the city — thus (20) in one of our civil services, he freely offered on account of the wartime some money for the guard of the city, not allowing any other citizen to do more than himself for the sake of his hometown, as is shown by the honours already granted to him in the most prominent places; given that, during the visits of the generals, never coming short in any activity as far as (30) he was able, helping his hometown and fellow citizens, he proves being dedicated to all; given that during the war [against the Libyans?], as corn-supply was coming short and as the city wished to send corn-buyers to Leptis, seeing on that occasion again his fellow citizens being oppressed because of the war circumstance and being eager to take (40) no lesser part of the action, as an extremely home-devoted and generous man in matter of fame as well as valour, stating that the cash was low and acting in accordance with the virtues inscribed in the laws, stating that the price of corn was raising, he took on the expense for buying the corn, so that the corn would be retailed at 2 talents and 30 mines; given that, eager to (50) quickly dispatch the corn, he generously promised that the increase of his own wealth would be chiefly dedicated to public service on behalf of the saveguard of the masses; given that it is right and fair that fine people receive high honours and be granted thence special favour, so that all others, seeing that the city does not elude due gratefulness, (60) will in turn be dedicated to the benefit of the city and hence receive the same privileges; It was decided by the gerontes and the council: to praise Aleximachos son of Sosistratos on behalf of his past services; that, beyond the honours already granted,the city should erect a bronze statue on the Agora of the Gods in the place that he will choose, bearing (70) the following inscription: '(scil. Statue of) Aleximachos son of Sositratos, an Arsinoean citizen, (scil. erected by) the Arsinoeans on behalf of his virtue and of the dedication constantly shown by him towards the city'; that the ephors should have the statue erected and besides it a stele of white marble bearing a copy of the present decree; that for the expenditure of the stele the treasurers will give from the public funds 600 drachmas. (80) White tokens (i.e. favourable votes): 109.

Italian translation

[---De?]metrios [---] i gerontes [---] è stato deciso: Dato che Aleximachos figlio di Sosistratos, uno dei nostri concittadini, ha continuato a manifestare in tutte le occasioni la più grande considerazione nei confronti della nostra città; dato che si è già reso responsabile di (10) molti e grandi benefici, comportandosi sia in pubblico sia in privato in modo conveniente e benevolo nei confronti del popolo e della città; dato che manifesta, attraverso la sua condotta, l'antica virtù della sua famiglia, agendo in ogni occasione in maniera degna del comportamento dei suoi antenati, manifestando la più grande considerazione sia a parole sia a fatti, e consacrandosi per gli interessi della città — così, (20) nell'esercizio di una nostra magistratura, ha offerto una contribuzione durante la situazione di guerra, per la sicurezza della città, secondo a nessuno dei cittadini quanto al risollevamento della patria, come rivelano gli onori che gli sono stati conferiti nei luoghi più illustri; dato che, durante il soggiorno degli strateghi, non trascurando nulla di quanto fosse (30) in suo potere e prestando aiuto alla sua patria e ai suoi cittadini, ha dimostrato la sua benevolenza verso tutti; dato che, poiché durante la guerra [contro i Libici?] il grano mancava e la città era disposta ad inviare dei commercianti di grano a Leptis, egli constatando in questa circostanza l'oppressione dei propri concittadini a causa della situazione critica della guerra e (40) nondimeno mostrando di voler prendere parte all'azione, essendo un uomo straordinariamente devoto alla patria e generoso, tanto per reputazione quanto per valore, vedendo che la somma di denaro era scarsa ed agendo in conformità alle virtù scritte nelle leggi e constatando che il prezzo del grano stava crescendo, si sobbarcò la spesa per l'acquisto del grano, così che il grano fu venduto al dettaglio per 2 talenti e 30 mine; dato che, desideroso (50) di trasportare il grano rapidamente, ha generosamente promesso che l'accrescimento del proprio patrimonio fosse riservato prima di tutto al servizio pubblico per la salvezza del popolo; dato che è giusto e conveniente che gli uomini buoni ricevano onori speciali e quindi ottengano un favore più grande, affinché anche gli altri, constatando la franca riconoscenza della città (60) si dedichino agli interessi della città ed ottengano gli stessi privilegi; È stato stabilito dai gerontes e dal consiglio: di lodare Aleximachos figlio di Sosistratos per i benefici da lui resi in passato; che, in aggiunta ai benefici già garantiti, la città eriga una statua di bronzo nell'agora degli dei, nel luogo che scelga lui stesso, con (70) la seguente iscrizione: "(scil. Statua di) Aleximachos figlio di Sositratos, cittadino di Arsinoe, (scil. eretta dagli) Arsinoiti per il valore e la benevolenza che egli ha continuamente dimostrato nei confronti della città"; che gli ephoroi facciano erigere la statua e vicino ad essa una stele di marmo bianco con la copia di questo decreto; che per la spesa della stele i tesorieri concedano dal fondo pubblico 600 dracme. (80) Gettoni bianchi (i.e. voti favorevoli): 109.

Arabic translation

[--- دي؟] ميتريوس [---]مجلس الشيوخ [---] كان قد قرر بأن أليكسيماكوس بن سوسيستراتوس، أحد مواطنينا، يُقدم دائما الأفضل نيابة عنا أو عن مدينتنا ولهذا نحن مدينون له بالعديد من (10) الخدمات العظيمة التي كان قد قام بها فعلياً، ولعادلة سلوكه العام والخاص ولطفه تجاه عامة الناس والمدن، ونظرا إلى أنه يعبر عن الكرم القديم لأسرته عندما يتصرف في جميع المناسبات وفقا لسلوك أسلافه مظهراً التفكير العميق أو الحكيم عند الحديث والتصرف، ومكرساً نفسه لمصلحة المدينة - وبالتالي (20) في واحدة من الخدمات المدنية، قدم في وقت الحرب بعض المال مجاناً لحماية المدينة، ولم يسمح لأي مواطن آخر أن يقدم أكثر منه من أجل مسقط رأسه، كما هو مبين في التكريم الذي حظي به عدة مرات وتم إبرازه وعرضه في أهم الأماكن، كما أنه لم يقصر في أي نشاط ، خلال زيارات الجنرالات، داعماً مدينته ومواطنيه بقدر(30) ما كان يستطيع، وقد أثبت ولائه للجميع، كذلك بالنظر إلى أنه خلال الحرب [ضد الليبيين؟]، حيث تَضَاءَلَت إمدادات الحبوب، ورغبت المدينة في إرسال تجاراً لشراء الحبوب من مدينة لبدة، فقد لاحظ في تلك الظروف مرة أخرى أن مواطنيه يعانون بسبب ظروف الحرب التي أحاطت بهم، فأخذ على عاتقه (40) جزءا غير قليل من الحدث، وكرجل مخلص جداً وكريم وذو صيت ذائع بالإضافة إلى ذلك معروفأ بالشجاعاة، كان مدركاً لقلة النقد (عدم توفر النقود اللازمة لشراء الحبوب) وملتزماً بالقوانين المنصوص عليها بهذا الخصوص، ومدركاً لزيادة أسعار الحبوب، فأخذ على عاتقه تحمل تكاليف شراء الحبوب، بحيث يتم بيعها بقيمة 2 تالنت و3 ميناي، ونظراً لرغبته في شحن (50) الحبوب بسرعة، فقد وتعهد متكرماً بأن أي زيادة في ثروته ستكون مهداه بشكل خاص للخدمة العامة دعماً للمواطنين، ومرعاة لذلك فإنه من الصواب والعدالة أن يُكريم الأشخاص الخيرين بشكل لائق وأن يحظوا باحترام خاص لما قدموه، ليتبين للآخرين جميعاً، أن المدينة لا تتوانى عن تقديم الشكر والامتنان، (60) الذي من شأنه أن يكون في صالح المدينة، ويعلموا أنهم سيتحصلون على نفس الامتيازات. وقد تقرر من قبل مجلسي الشيوخ والشورى أن يتم شكر أليكسيماخوس بن سوسيستراتوس عن خدماته السابقة، وإلى جانب التكريم الذي كان قد حظي به بالفعل، يتوجب على المدينة أن تنشئ له تمثالاً برونزياً يُنصب في أجورا الآلهة، في المكان الذي سيختاره، حاملاً (70) الكتابة التالية: (تمثال) ألكسيماخوس بن سوسيتراتوس، مواطن من أرسينوي (توكرة)، (أقيم من قبل) أهل أرسينوي عرفاناً بفضله وتفانيه الدائم من أجل المدينة'، وعلى الأيفوري (المشرفين أو الحكام) إقامة التمثال وإلى جانبه لوح تذكاري من الرخام الأبيض يحمل نسخة من هذا المرسوم، وسيدفع أمناء الخزانة 600 دراخما من الأموال العامة لتغطية تكاليف هذا اللوح التذكاري، (80) الرموز البيضاء (مثلاً: الاصوات المُؤيدة لصالح هذا الأمر): 109.(تمت الترجمة بالاستعانة بالترجمة العربية المقدمة من المرحوم عبدالكريم محمد الوافي في كتاب "برقة في العصر الهلينستي من العهد الجمهوري حتى ولاية أغسطس" ص ص 580-82).

Commentary

The most debated point in this document is the meaning of the 'visits of the generals' (ll. 28-29), a question which has implications for the date of the decree. In spite of Moretti's different suggestions, the words τῶν στρατηγῶν παρεπιδαμίαι are unescapable. In order to choose between three possibilities mentioned by Reynolds, a small point seemed conclusive to Laronde: the stone has the koine form (στρατηγός) amidst a text which is mostly dialectal. It seems therefore that those 'generals' were no local but Roman ones, possibly hosted at Arsinoe during the piratical wars. This would, in accordance with the lettering, lead to the last decades of the Greek period of Cyrenaica.

This is the only document testifying to the institutions of this city, with the mention of the gerontes, of a council (βωλά), of ephors and treasurers (ταμίαι). The institutions are probably more or less parallel with those of Euesperides, where the ephors and the gerontes together introduced a decree voted by the council (see IGCyr064000²). At lines 62-63 the formula has the common verb δοκέω, there is probably some similar mention at the beginning (lines 4-5), but with the dialectal verb ἁνδάνω. Before it βωλᾶι should perhaps be restored, but other words should stay between it and γέροντες. On the whole this section seems too fragmentary to allow any secure restoration.

Two different war times are mentioned, the first one, not otherwise specified, leading to reinforce the city-defenses, the second one being probably a war against Libyan tribes and resulting in shortage of grain, because the crops were destroyed and/or because the transport was hazardous.

The word σιτώνιον was read by Dobias-Lalou at l. 48, completing the verb χοραγέω. It is already known at Tauromenion (IG, XIV 423-430) for the fund dedicated to buying corn. Aleximachos would have completed from his own purse the money lacking for buying the corn, corresponding to the office of the σιτῶναι 'corn-buyers' (l. 36).

About the notation of the money amount at line 49, see Dobias-Lalou 2017, pp. 199-200.

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All citation, reuse or distribution of this work must contain a link back to DOI: https://doi.org/10.60760/unibo/igcyrgvcyr2 and the filename (IGCyr000000 or GVCyr000), as well as the year of consultation.

Images

Fig. 1. View of igcyr066900 Decree of Arsinoe-Taucheira

Fig. 2. Lines 44-80 of igcyr066900 Decree of Arsinoe-Taucheira

Fig. 3. Squeeze of ll.2-44 of igcyr066900 Decree of Arsinoe-Taucheira

Fig. 4. Squeeze of ll.38-80 of igcyr066900 Decree of Arsinoe-Taucheira

Maps