Athenian Inscriptions Dealing with the Delian League/Athenian Empire:

Except as indicated, translations are from the Greek texts in R. Meiggs and D. Lewis, Greek Historical Inscriptions, rev. ed. (Oxford 1988). Breaks in the stone or otherwise illegible writing is indicated by … in the translations.

Athenian money: 6 obols = 1 drachma; 100 drakhmai = 1 mna; 60 mnai (6,000 drakhmai) = 1 talent. A drakhma was roughly the equivalent of a laborer's daily wage at this time.

 1. IG 1³ 14 Dealing with Relations the Erythrai

This inscription was erected on the acropolis in Athens. When it was found in the nineteenth century its beginning had been mostly lost, and with it information on its date. Scholars date it variously to the 460's or 450's BC.

… That the Erythraians bring grain to the Great Panathenaia worth not less than three mnai, and that the persons in charge of the sacrifice distribute it to those of the Erythraians present … If they bring grain worth less than three mnai, according to … that grain be bought, and the demos … by whoever wishes of the Erythraians. That there be by lot a boule of one hundred and twenty men. The … in the boule, and that neither a non-citizen be a member of the boule, nor someone less than thirty years of age, and that there be prosecution of those found guilty. That one not be a member of the boule again within four years … that the overseers and the garrison commander choose by lot and establish the current boule, and in the future the boule and the garrison commander not less than thirty days before the boule goes out of office. That they swear by Zeus and Apollo and Demeter, calling down destruction upon … and upon their children destruction … over sacrificial victims. That the boule not less than … otherwise that they be fined one thousand drakhmai … that the demos burn in sacrifice no less. That the boule swear as follows: I will deliberate however I am able best and most justly for the multitude of the Erythraians and Athenians and the allies and I will not revolt from the multitude of the Athenians nor from the allies of the Athenians, neither I myself nor will I be persuaded by another nor … nor I myself nor will I be persuaded by another … of the exiles I will receive back not even one nor … will I be persuaded by another, of those banished to the Medes, independently of the boule of the Athenians and the demos, nor will I banish any one of those who remain independently of the boule of the Athenians and the demos. If some Erythraian kills another Erythraian let him die if he is found guilty …. If he is found guilty, let him be banished from the whole alliance of the Athenians, and let his possessions be confiscated by the Erythraians. If someone … for the tyrants … of the Erythraians and … let him die … the children from him … of the Erythraians and … Athenians … and having deposited (?) the possessions.

2. Athenian Tribute Lists (454/3 BC):

The fragmentary preamble of the first tribute list; followed in the original by a poorly preserved list of cities and their payments (better preserved versions are found in no. 3 below). This and the other "Tribute Lists" actually record not the tribute itself but the 1/60^th offering which the Athenians made from it to Athena.

The following first fruits (aparkhai) for the goddess were received from the Hellenotamiai for whom … was the secretary, and were submitted to the thirty auditors … when Aristion was arkhon at Athens, a mna per talent:

3. Excerpts from the Athenian Tribute Lists:

All of the annual lists are damaged to a greater or lesser extent, and none are complete. Combining information from different lists we can see that there were roughly 140 to 160 cities listed (the number varied from list to list). The earlier lists have the cities in no apparent order (perhaps this was simply the chronological order in which they paid). Later lists eventually organized the cities into five districts: Ionia, the Hellespont, Thrace, Karia, and The Islands. Sample a. below is from the first list (454/3); sample b. contains the Hellespont and Thracian cities from 441/0, the best preserved of the lists; sample c. is a translation of the section of the listing for The Islands for 433/2. Remember that the figures given here are the 1/60th offered to Athena.

a. (454/3): lines 5-12 of columns 4-6, from the best preserved part of the list (the right edge of the stone has been eroded, and some of the figures have been reconstructed in comparison with later lists):

Maroneans: 150 dr. Habderites: 1285 dr. 2. ob. Narisibarans: 16 dr. 3 ob.

Lindians: 845 dr. Olynthians, Ska- Mydonans: 25 dr.

Oidaians in I- blaians, Asse- Kianans: 16 dr. 3 ob.

karos: 133 dr. 2 ob. rites: 266 dr. 4 ob. Artakenans: 33 dr. 2 ob.

Essians: 100 dr. Sermulians 770 dr. 2 ob. Neapolis

Neandreia: 33 dr. 2 ob. Mekypernaians: [empty] in Thrace: 16 dr. 4 ob.

Lamponeia: 16 dr. 4 ob. Stolians, Poli- Berysians under

tekhnites: 231 dr. 1 ob. Ida: 16 dr. 4 ob.

b. (441/0): the cities are listed by district: Ionia, Hellespont, Thrace, Karia, and the Islands; the following sample contains the Hellespontine and Thracian cities (text is based on N. Lewis, Greek Historical Documents: The Fifth Century [Toronto 1971]):

The Hellespontine Cities

 5 dr. Harpagians 5 dr. Neapolis

200 dr. Arisbeans from Athens

100 dr. Dardanians 288 dr. Tenedians

16 dr. 4 ob. Sigeians 16 dr. 4 ob. ...

8 dr. 2 ob. Palaiperkotians 1000 dr. Perinthians

16 dr. 4 ob. Fort Daunion 33 dr. 2 ob. Neandreia

16 dr. 4 ob. Fort Didymon 14 dr. 4 ob. Paisians

1200 dr. Lampscacenes 400 dr. Abdyrites

900 dr. Kalkhedonians 8 dr. 2 ob. Priapans

16 dr. 4 ob. Lamponeia 100 dr. Kampsaians

900 dr. Kyzikenes 33 dr. 2 ob. Artakians

300 dr. Prokonessians 8 dr. 2 ob. Sestians

100 dr. Agora in Kersonessos 8 dr. 2 ob. Madytians

16 dr. 4 ob. Astakians 8 dr. 2 ob. Limnaians

1507 dr. 4 ob. Byzantians 50 dr. Elaiountians

500 dr. Selymbrians 33 dr. 2 ob. Parionians

... Zeleiaians

The Thracians Cities

300 dr. ... 600 dr. Skionians

600 dr. Potidaians 16 dr. 4 ob. Skiathians

... ... 300 dr. Peparetians

... ... 150 dr. Maroneians

66 dr. 4 ob. Mekybernians 500+ dr. Mendeans

50 dr. Neapolis 33 dr. 2 ob. Aigeans

from Mende 100 dr. Aphytidans

100 dr. Dion on Athos 25 dr. Haisans

... Samothracians 1000 dr. Ainians

... ... 200 dr. Olynithians

... ... 25 dr. Ikians

... ... 600 dr. Toronians

... ... 16 dr. 4 ob. Stageirians

... ... 16 dr. 4 ob. Phegetians

... ... 16 dr. 4 ob. Orthorians

... ... 100 dr. Argilians

... ... 16 dr. 4 ob. Pharbelians

... ... 66 dr. 4 ob. Stolians

c. (433/2): the left side of the stone is damaged, and the first parts of the numbers are lost (Greek numbers worked like Roman numerals):

] Mykonians

]100 dr. Andrians

]200 dr. Siphnians

]15 dr. Syrians

] Styrans

]200 dr. Eretrians

]100 dr. 4 ob. Grynkhians

] Rhenaians

d. view link

4. IG 1³ 1453 A Decree Primarily on Coinage:

This text was apparently set up in the various cities of the League/Empire. There is no single complete text, and the version translated below has been assembled from fragments found in several different cities. Its date is somewhere between 450 and 446.

[The opening speaks of "magistrates in the cites" (presumably Athenians) and the Hellenotamiai, but is otherwise too fragmentary for recontruction] ... let the one who wishes bring the offenders to the heliaia of the thesmothetai. Let the thesmothetai within five days provide a court date for those accusing each person. If anyone other than the magistrates in the cities does not act according to the decreee, from among citizens or foreigners, let him lose his citizenship rights and let his possessions be confiscated, and the tithe be the goddess's. And if there are not magistrates of the Athenians let the magistrates of each city perform the provisions in the decree. And if they do not act according to the decree, let there be a prosecution for loss of citizenship rights against these magistrates at Athens. In the mint, having received the silver coins, that they mint not less than half and ... [about 29 lost letters] ... the cities. That those who are in charge at the time exact a fee of three drakhmai per mna ... [another extremely fragmentary section] ... that they mint whatever is left over from the fees that have been exacted and give it either to the generals or to the ... [about 15 lost letters]. When it is given ... [about 29 lost letters] ... and to Hephaistos ... [about 14 lost letters] and if speaks or decrees concerning these things that it is possible to use or loan foreign coinage, let a charge be made against him immmediately to the Eleven. Let the Eleven punish them with death. If he disputes the charge, let them bring him to court. That the People choose heralds ... [about 25 lost letters] ... the things that have been decreed, one to the islands, one to Ionia, one to Hellespont, one to the places by Thrace ... [about 49 lost letters] ... let them send them off ... [about 19 lost letters] ... let him be subject to a fine of 10,000 drakhmai. That the magistrates in the cities set up this decree, having written it up on a stone pillar in each city, and that those in charge do so in front of the mint. That the Athenians will do this things if they themselves do not wish, but the herald who goes will ask of them to do what the Athenians command. That the secretary of the Council add in writing to the oath the following for the future: "If anyone mints currency of silver in the cities and does not use the currencies of the Athenians or wieghts or measures, but foreign currencies or weights or measures, I will punish and penalized him according to the previous decree which Klearkhos spoke." That it will be possible for anyone to turn in whatever foreign currency he has and exchange it according to these provisions whenever he wishes, and that the city give in return our currency. That each person is himself to bring his money to Athens and deposit it in the mint; those in charge, having written up all they have received from each and every person, are to set up a stone pillar in front of the mint for anyone who wishes to see ... [the rest is too fragmentary to reconstruct].

5. IG³ 10 Relations with Phaselis:

The inscription, found at Athens, dates to between 469 and 450.

 It has seemed good to the Council and the People; the tribe Akamantis held the prytany, [M]nasippos was the secretary, Ne[...]des presided; Leon spoke: To record the decree for the Phaselites: Whatever cause for action arises at Athens against anyone of the Phaselites, that the trials be at Athens in the court of the polemarkhos, just as for the Khians, and nowhere else. That trials arising from other legal actions be according to the treaty agreements with the Phaselites. To remove the ... If any of the magistracies accepts a case against any of the Phaselites ... if he finds against him, let the finding be void. If anyone violates the decree, let him owe 10,000 drakhmai sacred to Athena. Let the secretary of the Council write up the decree on a stone pillar and set it up on the acropolis at the expense of the Phaselites. 

Note: Khios was a particularly favored ally of Athens.

6. IG 1³ 34 On Collecting the Phoros:

Probably dated to 447.

 Gods

It has seemed good to the Council and the People; the tribe Oineis held the prytany, Spoudias was the secretary, [...]on presided; Kleinias spoke: That the Council and the magistrates in the cities and the oveerseers take care that the phoros be collected each year and brought to Athens. That seals be made for the cities, so that it not be possible for those bringing the phoros to do wrong. Let the city, having written on a tablet the phoros which it is sending, having marked it with the seal, send it to Athens. That those bringing the phoros give the tablet to read in the Council at the same time they pay over the phoros. Let the prytaneis after the Dionysia call an assembly for the Hellenotamiai to show to the Athenians those of the cities which paid the phoros completely, and separately those falling short, as many as ... That the Athenians, having chosen four men, send them off to the cities to countersign for the phoros paid over and to demand what was not paid over from those falling short, two to sail to the cities on the Islands and in Ionia on swift triremes, two to the cities in the Hellespont and by Thrace. That the prytaneis bring this matter before the Council and the People immediately after the Dionysia, and that they deliberate continuously concerning these things until they are completed. If some Athenian or ally does wrong concerning the phoros which the cities, having written on a tablet for those bringing it, must send to Athens, let it be possible for whoever wishes from among the Athenians or allies to bring a charge against him before the prytaneis; and let the prytaneis bring whatever charge has been made to the Council, or let each be liable to a fine of ... drakhmai; whomever the Council charges it shall not have the authority to punish, but let it bring the case to the heliaia immediately. Whenever he seems to have done wrong, let the prytaneis make the determination what he shall suffer or pay as a fine. And if someone does wrong concerning the bringing of the panoplia or the cow that the legal proceedings be the same and the fine according to the same norms. That the Hellenotamiai write on a whitewashed board and make public the ordering of the phoros and ... [the remainder of the text is too fragmentary to reconstruct with any certainty].

Note: The Greater Dionysia was a major Athenian festival held in the month of Elaphebolion (late March/early April); the allied states were all required to bring a panoplia (a full set of armor) and a cow to sacrifice to Athena at the Panathenaia festival.

7. IG 1³ 40 Relations with Khalkis:

Khalkis was one of the major cities on Euboia. Euboia had revolted from the League/Empire, but most of its cities, including Khalkis, came to terms in 446. The present inscription dates from 446/5, and records a decree supplementing another decree, now lost.

It has seemed good to the Council and to the People; the tribe of Antiokhis held the prytanny, Drakontides presided, Diognetos spoke: That the Council of the Athenians and the jurymen swear the oath on these terms: "I will not drive the Khalkidians out of Khalkis, nor will I destroy the city nor will I deprive any private person of his citizen's rights nor will I penalize with exile nor imprison nor kill nor take away the possessions of anyone without trial apart from the decision of the People of the Athenians, nor will I vote against someone who has not been summoned to trial, neither against the government against any single individual. When an embassy has come I will bring it to the Council and the People within ten days whenever I hold the prytany, as far as this is possible. These things I will make firm for the Khalkidians as long as they obey the People of the Athenians." That an embassy having come from Khalkis administer the oath to the Athenians together with the oath-givers, and that they record those who swore the oath. Let the Generals see to it that all people take the oath.

That the Khalkidians swear on these terms: " I will not revolt from the People of the Athenians, neither by craft nor device, neither in word nor deed, nor will I obey anyone who has revolted, and if anyone revolts, I will denounce him to the Athenians; and I will pay the phoros to the Athenians, whatever amount I persuade them, and I will be a best and just an ally to the People of the Athenians such as I am able, and I will bring help and defend the People of the Athenians if someone does wrong to the People of the Athenians, and I will obey the People of the Athenians." That absolutely all the Khalkidians of military age swear the oath; let whoever will not swear be deprived of his citizen's rights and let his possessions be confiscated, and let the tenth of his possessions be consecrated to Olympian Zeus. That an embassy of Athenians having come to Khalkis administer the oath together with the oath-givers in Khalkis, and that they record those of the Khalkidians who swore the oath.

Antikles spoke: For the good fortune of the Athenians, that Athenians and Khalkidians make the oath just as the People of the Athenians decreed for the Eretrians. Let the generals see to it that it happens as quickly as possible. That the People choose five men as soon as possible who will administer the oath once they reach Khalkis. Concerning the hostages, that an answer be given to the Khalkidians that at present it seems good to the Athenians to leave things according to what has been decreeed, but when it seems good, having taken counsel, that they make an agreement according to what seems suitable for the Athenians and the Khalkidians, As for the foreigners in Khalkis, as many as living there do not pay taxes to Athens, and if, of course, they have not been given tax immunity by the People of the Athenians, that the others pay taxes to Khalkis, just like the other Khalkidians. That at Athens the secretary of the Council write up this decree and the oath on a stone pillar and set it up on the acropolis at the expense of the Khakidians, and in Khalkis that the Council of the Khalkidians write the decree and oath up and set it up in the temple area of Zeus Olympios. That these things have been decreed for the Khalkidians. That the animal victims from the oracles concerning Euboia be sacrifices as soon as possible by three men whom the Council will choose from among themselves, together with Hierokles. Let the generals see to it that the sacrifice be completed as quickly as possible and let them provide the money for these things. Arkhestratos spoke: Everything else as Antikles said, but let the review of magistrates after their term of office be in Khalkis for the Khalkidians in cases brought against their own, just as in Athens for the Athenians, except in cases where the penalty is exile or death or loss of citizenship rights. Concerning these latter, that there be referral to Athens to the heliaia of the thesmothetai according to the decree of the People. Let the generals see to the garrison of Euboia as best they can, that it might be the best for the Athens.

oath

Note: Hierokles appears to have been an expert on oracles.