iAph050214 (Q2772)

i. [ - - ] since the most splendid city of the Ephesians always welcomes those who have shown zeal with testimonies that are fitting and just for their worth, and takes a share of pleasure in the advantages of all (men) as if they were her own, and (since she considers that) whatever outstanding (advantages) accrue to the good reputation of other cities from distinguished men, these are matters of (?general) good fortune; (10) and since she assigns an especial portion of her inclination towards goodwill to the most splendid city of the Aphrodisians, towards which she has many and outstanding justifications for the exchange of affection. For these reasons, (the city) has welcomed Aurelius Achilles - - who has both undertaken the training of the body, and is also most noble in training, and most dignified in his way of life and his conduct, so that in him (20) all virtue of body and soul is blended - - (has welcomed him) often, both in previous contests, which he adorned, having competed impressively and with all courage, and especially in the contest of the Olympia, because, when the city encouraged him - - as if it were his own fatherland - - to proceed to the ultimate competition, and to the category of men (30), he listened, and was persuaded by the encouragement, and defeated his opponents, and bound on the (crown of) olive with such glory that his (?display of) courage and eagerness are to be numbered among the most distinguished of contests. For these reasons it was resolved that the testimony about these events should not extend only as far as the knowledge of those who were present and (40) happened to be in the stadium at the time, but by means of this decree he should be commended even more to his fatherland. ii. [?a couplet naming Achilles] but if you proclaim [?the prowess] of Varianus in verse, I hold the olive having defeated him; or if you praise the ephebe Arion, (superior) to grown men, against him too Zeus´ granted me the olive (wreath). In all the stadia of the nations [ ?ask] - - I am as great as none of my fellow-citizens [was able to] surpass. The throng of other crowns proclaims to you my fame, by means of, ?or in a stone image and my likeness. For I often have Pythia, and divine Olympia, defeating (my) rivals with glorious fame, while none of the men who have struggled (with me) for victory has been summoned to confront a second contest (?).