3-047-570 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Stele with Inscription, late 1st century BC. Additional Info: A fragmentary stele with a Greek inscription: a decree issued by the Aeolian city of Kyme to honor Kleanax, an illustrious citizen and patron of the city. The architectural decoration of the top is damaged, and the bottom left corner has broken off at a diagonal. Over fifty lines of the inscription are preserved. The inscription mentions Kleanax's good will and beneficence in word and deed to the city's inhabitants as well as to his family. Various benefactions of Kleanax are listed, including annual sacrifices to the gods; gifts of food and wine for banquets involving all inhabitants of the city, both free and slave; banquets for all citizens as well as other residents, Romans, and foreigners in the city; a special banquet for priests, winners in sacred games, other magistrates and citizens; and festivities including a special sacrifice in honor of the emperor Augustus and other gods. The inscription concludes with the proclamation that the council and people bestow on Kleanax a wreath of gold to commemorate his civic spirit and generosity as both private citizen and magistrate.