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Decree not to appoint tax collectors

Greek, East Greek
Roman Imperial Period
Findspot: Anatolia (Turkey), Troad, Assos (Behramkale), Below the Bouleuterion

Medium/Technique Marble
Dimensions 50.8 x 76.2 cm (20 x 30 in.)
Credit Line Gift of the Archaeological Institute of America
Accession Number84.54
ClassificationsInscriptions

DescriptionFragments of decree not to appoint tax collectors; long inscription in well-preserved letters. Slab with pedimental top; circles in tympanum. In four pieces.

"Decree not to appoint tax collectors.
Motion of the council and people - as scribes of the decree were assigned by lot: Epanthes son of Hermogenes, Hermogenes son of Epanthes, and Kratesinikos son of Menistheus.
Since Ti(berius) Cl(audius) Nikasis, the public benefactor of all, following his ancestral traditions, together with the other things through which he is a benefactor of our home town, honoring his own family and each time showing his kindness to our town, has also decided today to become a lawgiver of public service for always, and to relieve our town from the hateful and oppressive burden by taking upon himself the business of the municipal tax collectors; the council and people and the Roman businessmen among us have decreed to publicly praise T(iberius) Cl(audius) Nikasis, the magistrate, who always proposes the best for the town..."

The last part of the inscription is fragmentary and speaks about the polltax, the office of the magistrate, and tax collectors.
ProvenanceFrom Assos (Behramkale, Turkey); below the Bouleuterion. 188?: excavated by the Archaeological Institute of America; gift of the Archaeological Institute of America to MFA, January 15, 1884.