iAph020503 (Q2612)

[Decision of the koinon ; proposal] of the presidents and the secretary. Since, in view of the fact that the cities [and the nations are oppressed ?everywhere] by the publicans and the [ . . . ? . . .] that have come into being, and [have been reduced] to the utmost despair at the hands of some, the koinon of the Greeks met and unanimously decided, [? at a special session] in the city of Ephesos, to send ambassadors to [the Senate and] magistrates, chosen from among men of the first rank and the most highly honoured, to [? report to them] concerning the aforesaid matters and the other [? affairs of the koinon] and to beg them to assist and [? protect] the province [which is being ruined]; and given that among the ambassadors chosen were [Dionysios and Hier]okles, sons of Jason the son of Skymnos, Aphrodisians, who also [exercised] citizenship in Tralles, who were not in residence [? there], the presidents sent a letter [about these men] to the people of Aphrodisias and about their selection [to go as ambassadors] for the common good of the Greeks, [among whom] they had a reputation for excellence and glory, as the detailed [testimonials] in the letter despatched on account of them make clear ; [and so], since the men, [who were present] and called upon by the People in the assembly which was summoned, [agreed] to carry out the embassy, and in its course endured many [and considerable] dangers, delivered the decrees [to the Senate] and magistrates, waited constantly, on every [occasion], on the magistrates, were involved in many serious contests [on behalf of] the koinon of the Greeks and were present at all of them, carried out their embassy with success and good fortune, in a manner worthy of the koinon of the Greeks and of [their] own reputation, and successfully secured the most important interests of [all] the peoples and nations [in Asia] ; for these reasons [it was agreed] by the koinon of [the Greeks] in Asia to decree praise to the aforesaid men and to crown each of them with a golden [crown] in consideration of their courage and zeal [and to set up] also bronze statues of them among whatever people or nation they wish, carrying the [inscription] ‘The peoples of Asia and the nations honoured for their excellence Dionysios and Hierokles [sons of Jason] the son of Skymnos who have successfully secured the most important matters '.