Inventory number
Ακρ. 1333
Artist
Attic workshop
Category
Inscription
Period
Classical Period
Date
405/4 and 403/2 BC
Dimensions
Height: 1.7 m
Length: 0.56 m
Width: 0.145 m
Relief dimensions: 0.385 x 0.425 m
Relief depth: 0.016 m
Material
Marble from Penteli
Location
First Floor, North
Inscribed stele, which consists of four fragments that have been reassembled. Two fragments were found in 1876 in the area that stretches between the Theatre of Dionysos and the Odeion of Herodes Atticus. The third fragment was found during the 1888 excavation campaign on the Acropolis, whereas the find spot of the fourth remains unknown.
The upper part of the stele, which is sculpted in relief, presents the patron goddesses of the two city-states, Athena and Hera, who shake hands as a sign of agreement, along with seventy five lines of the inscribed text. The inscription, written in the Ionic alphabet, consisted of three resolutions referring to the island of Samos, two of which are retained intact whereas the third survives only partially.
The first decree, which dates to 405/4 BC when the Eponymous Archon was Alexias, offers honours and privileges to the city of Samos, acknowledging the loyalty and devotion they had shown to Athens after the latter's defeat at Aigos Potamoi. The second and third decrees date to 403/2 BC, when the Eponymous Archon was Eukleides. The former reaffirms the honours and privileges granted previously to the Samians, among which the bestowment of citizenship, that is the most important honour given to foreigners. The latter decree nominates honours to the Samian Poses and his sons, who made donations to Athens. According to the first four lines that have the role of the heading, all resolutions were inscribed in 403/2 BC when the secretary of the Council (Boule) was Kefisophon.
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