Subscript of Octavian (?)/Augustus to Samos
created: transcription (Reynolds)
source date: Inscription: second to third centuries C.E. Document: early 38 BCE
language: en; grc
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Αὐτοκράτωρ Καῖσαρ θεοῦ Ἰουλίου υἱὸς Αὔγουστος Σαμίοις ὑπὸ τὸ ἀξίωμα ὑπέγραψεν ἔξεστιν ὑμεῖν αὐτοῖς ὁρᾶν ὅτι τὸ φιλάνθρωπον τῆς ἐλευθερίας οὐδενὶ δέδωκα δήμῳ πλὴν τῷ τῶν ὃς ἐν τῷ πολέμῳ τὰ ἐμὰ φρονήσας δοριάλωτος διὰ τὴν πρὸς ἡμᾶς εὔνοιαν ἐγένετο οὐ γάρ ἐστιν δίκαιον τὸ πάντων μέγιστον φιλάνθρωπον εἰκῇ καὶ χωρὶς αἰτίας χαρίζεσθαι ἐγὼ δὲ ὑμεῖν μὲν εὐνοῶ καὶ βουλοίμην ἂν τῇ γυναικί μου ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν σπουδαζούσῃ χαρίζεσθαι ἀλλὰ οὐχ ὥστε καταλῦσαι τὴν συνήθειάν μου οὐδὲ γὰρ τῶν χρημάτων μοι μέλει ἃ εἰς τὸν φόρον τελεῖτε ἀλλὰ τὰ τειμιώτατα φιλάνθρωπα χωρὶς αἰτίας εὐλόγου δεδωκέναι οὐδενὶ βούλομαι

Imperator Caesar Augustus, son of divus Julius, wrote to the Samians underneath their petition:

You yourselves can see that I have given the privilege of freedom to no people except the Aphrodisians, who took my side in the war and were captured by storm because of their devotion to us. For it is not right to give the favour of the greatest privilege of all at random and without cause. I am well-disposed to you and should like to do a favour to my wife who is active in your behalf, but not to the point of breaking my custom. For I am not concerned for the money which you pay towards the tribute, but I am not willing to give the most highly prized privileges to anyone without good cause.

[^1]: You can see for yourselves that I have given the privilege[^2] of freedom to no people except the Aphrodisians, who took my side in the war and suffered capture through their loyalty to us. For it is not appropriate for the greatest privilege of all to be granted at random and without cause. I am well disposed towards you and would like to grant this favour to my wife, who is eager on your behalf, but not to the extent of breaking my established rule. It is not that I am concerned about the money which you pay in tribute, but that I would not wish the most valued privileges to be granted to anyone without good cause.

[^1: Lines 2-7]

[^2: philanthropon]

[...] in 1967

[...] 431-2 description and partial translation; [...] 13 whence [...] 32.833 , [...] 1983.374 ; [...] 1984.867 ; [...] 34.1044 , [...] 35.1081 , [...] 37 ; [...] 8.32.