Citation with stable link: Richard Last, 'Dorians and Xanthians: Monumentalizing claims of kinship (ca. 206/205 BCE),' Ethnic Relations and Migration in the Ancient World, last modified February 20, 2025, https://philipharland.com/Blog/?p=16850.

Ancient authors: Xanthians, Dorians, and Aitolians, SEG 38 (1988), no. 1476 (206/205 BCE) = Jean Bousquet, “La stèle des Kyténiens à Xanthos de Lycie,” Revue des études grecques 101 (1988): 12–53 (link).

Comments: The Xanthian stone was discovered by Georges Ville in 1965 during the French Archaeological Mission’s excavations of the sanctuary of Leto, approximately four kilometers SW of Xanthos (Lycia, Asia Minor). The limestone stele (height: 194 cm; width: 52-56 cm) features molding at its top and bottom, and a 110-line inscription dating to 206/205 BCE. This inscription reports an occasion when ambassadors from Kytenion (Doris, Central Greece) arrived in Xanthos to request money for re-building their city walls. These ambassadors went to great lengths to convince the Xanthians (Lycians) that they shared Doric kinship connections to the Kytenians (which likely would have surprised the Xanthians) and so should be willing to help their supposed kinspeople in this time of need. While making their appeal, the Kytenians presented two otherwise unattested genealogies demonstrating kinship ties between the two people groups, one divine and one heroic. These genealogies were perhaps contrived in Kytenion for this very occasion. The Xanthian inscription provides our fullest account of kinship diplomacy in action. For a further instance featuring Judeans and Spartans, see link.

For a detailed study of this inscription with implications for Paul’s concepts of common kinship, see Richard Last’s article (cited below).

Works consulted: C.P. Jones, Kinship Diplomacy in the Ancient World (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 1999) (link); Richard Last, “Abraham and the Jerusalem Collection: Kinship Diplomacy in Paul’s Letters,” Journal of Biblical Literature 145 (forthcoming, with extensive bibliography).

Source of translation: Courtesy of Richard Last, Trent University.

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[Introduction]

In the reign of Ptolemy son of Ptolemy [i.e. Ptolemy IV Philopater, reigning ca. 221-204 BCE] and Berenike, the Benefactor Gods, and his son Ptolemy, during the seventeenth year, at the time when Andronikos son of Perlamos was priest both of the Benefactor Gods and also of king Ptolemy, and (5) when Tleopolemos son of Artapates was priest for the city, on second of the month Audnaios. During an assembly, the Xanthians, the city and its leaders decided: Ambassadors have arrived from the Aetolian League, Dorians of the Metropolis from Kytenion – Lamprias, Ainetos and Phegeus – carrying both a decree (10) from the Aitolians, and also a letter from the Dorians. In accordance with the letter, after providing an account of events happening in their homeland and, following that, discussing the matters that were written in the letter with all earnestness and distinction, they urged that we, having remembered the (15) kinship (syngeneia) relationship we have with them, one that originates from the gods and heroes, not to overlook the walls of their city, which have been destroyed. For, Leto, the founder of our city, gave birth to Artemis and Apollo in our territory; and Asklepios son of Apollo and Koronis daughter of Phlegyas, descendant of (20) Doros, was born in Doris. Beyond the kinship existing between them and us from these gods, they also related to us the intertwining (symplokē) of descent (genos) between us from the heroes, having put together a genealogy of descent from Aiolos and Doros, and further they exhibited that (25) Aletes showed care for the ones sent out from us by Chrysaor son of Glaukos son of Hippolokos since he [Aletes] was one of the descendants of Herakles. For, going forth from Doris, he [Aletes] rescued them when they were at war, and when danger encircled them, he put an end to it and married the daughter of Aor son of Chrysaor. (30) Presenting many other things from ancient times about their goodwill towards us because of our kinship, they thought it worthy that we should not allow the greatest city (polis) in the Metropolis to be eliminated, but that we should assist as much as possible towards their wall-building (35), and demonstrate to the Greeks the goodwill that we have towards the League of the Dorians and the city of the Kytenians by coming together to assist them in a way worthy of our ancestors (progonoi) and ourselves. (And they thought) that we would be showing favour, by answering in compliance to these things, not only to them but also to the Aitolians and (40) to all other Dorians, and especially to king Ptolemy, being a kinsman of the Dorians through the Argead kings descended from Herakles.

It has been decided to reply to them that all Xanthians grieve together the misfortunes that have happened to the city, and believe (45) it is necessary to answer enthusiastically on the matter of the assistance requested, both because of our kinship from the gods and heroes, and also because king Ptolemy, being descendant (apogonos) of Herakles, traces his kinship (syngeneia) to the kings descended from Herakles. Therefore, if the public treasury (50) of our city had not been weak, they [i.e., the Xanthians] would make clear their goodwill, as their benevolence surpasses everyone.

But since not only is the public treasury empty, but also the multitude of our loans have increased, it is possible to lay on our citizens no public burden because of the regulation (55) established by decree for nine years. Also, the most prosperous of our citizens have recently made large contributions because of the challenging times, of which we have given an account to the ambassadors. For these reasons, our city has no revenue, (60) yet the civic leaders (archontes) are upset about overlooking their kinspeople (syngeneis) while they experience such loss. It was decided that the civic leaders, having borrowed money, will give the ambassadors (presbeutai) five hundred drachmas for rebuilding the walls of their city, and they will also send them the gift of hospitality, as is customary. (65) And so that there will be a memorial of the familial relationship (oikeiotētos) existing between the Dorians and us for our descendants, because of our zeal towards them with respect to our kinship, the civic leaders will engrave on a marble monument (stele) and set up in the temple of Leto the decree of the Aitolians and the letter (70) written by their generals and the councillors, and likewise the letter sent to our city by the Dorians, as well as the previously mentioned decree. They will also give it to the ambassadors and invite them to a reception.

[Aitolian decree]

It seemed good to the Aitolians to give the Dorians embassies for cities (75) related by kinship and for kings who are descended from Herakles: Ptolemy [IV Philopator] and Antiochos [III, reigning ca. 222-187 BCE]. Those who are sent will say how, because of the kinship to both the Dorians and the Aitolians, they [i.e. Xanthians] should assist in the rebuilding of the walls of the city of the Kytenians so that the city may be repopulated as quickly as possible.

[Letter from Aitolian generals and councillors to the Xanthians]

Agelaos, Pantaleon, (80) Molossos and the councillors of the Aitolians, to the Council and People of Xanthos, greetings. Lamprias, Ainetos, and Phegeus, the ones who delivered our letter to you are Dorians from Kytenion, and came before you as ambassadors on behalf of the Aitolians regarding the rebuilding of the walls of the city of the Kytenians. (85) Therefore, you will do well as regards us and the League of the Aitolians, and in regards to the familial relationship (oikeiotatos) connecting the Dorians to you by hearing them out with benevolence and by eagerly attending to what they request. Farewell.

[Letter from Kytenian civic bodies to the Xanthians]

The inhabitants of the city of Kytenion, the Dorians of the Metropolis, to the Council (90) and People of Xanthos, greetings. We sent ambassadors to you from both us and the Aitolians, Lamprias son of Pankles, Ainetos son of Polytas, and Phegeus son of Sotion, who will inform you about things that they have orders to tell you. For it happened that at the time when king Antigonos [III Doson, reigning ca. 229-221 BCE] invaded Phokis (ca. 223/222 BCE), portions of the walls of all our cities had crumbled on account of the earthquakes, and our younger soldiers had gone to the temple of Apollo at Delphi to protect it. When the king came to Doris, he destroyed the walls of all our cities and burned our houses. Therefore, we ask you to (100) remember our kinship with you, and not to permit the greatest of the cities of the Metropolis, Kytenion, to be annihilated. Rather, provide as much assistance to us as you think possible for the construction of the walls and show to the Greeks the goodwill you have (105) towards our people (ethnos) and city, providing help in a way that is worthy of you and your ancestors and of Herakles and his descendants. As for us, we will return the favour in whatever way you request. Know well that you will be granting a favour not only to us, but also to the Aitolians and all the other Dorians, and most of all to king (110) Ptolemy, who is our kinsman through the kings.

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[Introduction]

Βασιλεύοντος Πτολεμαίου τοῦ Πτολεμαίου καὶ [2] Βερενίκης θεῶν Εὐεργετῶν καὶ τοῦ υἱοῦ Πτολεμαί[3]ου (ἔτους) ΙΖ᾽, ἐφ᾽ἱερέως Θεῶν Εὐεργετῶν καὶ βασιλεώς [4] Πτολεμαίου, Ἀνδρονίκου τοῦ Περλάμου, πρὸπόλεως [5] δὲ Τληπολέμου τοῦ Ἀρταπάτου, μηνὸς Αὐδναίου Β᾽, [6] ἐκκλησίας γενομένης, ἔδοξεν Ξανθίοις τῆι πόλει [7] καὶ τοῖς ἄρχουσιν· ἐπειδὴ ἀπὸ κοινοῦ τῶν Αἰτωλῶν [8] παραγεγόνασιν πρεσβευταὶ Δωριεῖς ἀπὸ Μητροπόλιος [9] ἐκ Κυτενίου Λαμπρίας, Αἴνετος, Φηγεύς, ψήφισμά [10] τε παρ᾽Αἰτωλῶν φέροντες καὶ ἐπιστολὴν παρὰ Δωριέ[11]ων, δ᾽ ἧς, τὰ συμβεβηκότα τῆι πατρίδι αὐτῶν ἀπολογισά[12]μενοι, καὶ αὐτοὶ διαλεγέντες ἀκολούθως τοῖς ἐν τῆι ἐπι[13]στολῆι γεγραμμένοις μετὰ πάσης σπουδῆς καὶ φιλοτι[14]μίας, παρακαλοῦσιν ἡμᾶς, ἀναμνησθέντας τῆς πρὸς [15] αὐτοὺς ὑπαρχούσης συγγενείας ἀπό τε τῶν θεῶν καὶ [16] τῶν ἡρώων μὴ περιιδεῖν κατεσκαμμένα τῆς πατρίδος [17] αὐτῶν τὰ τείχη · Λητοῦν γαρ, τὴν τῆς πόλεως ἀρχηγέτιν [18] τῆς ἡμετέρας, γεννῆσαι Ἄρτεμίν τε καὶ Ἀπόλλωνα πα[19]ρ᾽ ἡμεῖν· Ἀπόλλωνος δὲ καὶ Κορωνίδος τῆς Φλεγύου τοῦ ἀπὸ [20] Δώρου γενέσθαι ἐν τῆι Δωρίδι Ἀσκληπιόν · τῆς δὲ συγγε[21]νείας ὑπαρχούσης αὐτοῖς πρὸς ἡμᾶς ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν τού[22]των, προσαπελογίζοντο καὶ τἠν ἀπὸ τῶν ἡρώων συμπλοκὴν [23] τοῦ γένους ὑπάρχουσαν αὐτοῖς, ἀπό τε Αἰόλου καὶ Δώρου [24] τὴν γενεαλογίαν συνιστάμενοι, ἔτι τε παρεδείκνυον [25] τῶν ἀποικισθέντων ἐκ τῆς ἡμετέρας ὑπὸ Χρυσάορος τοῦ [26] Γλαύκου τοῦ Ἰππολόχου πρόνοιαν πεποιημένον Ἀλήτην, ὄντα [27] τῶν Ἡρακλειδῶν · ὁρμηθέντα γὰρ αὐτὸν ἐκ τῆς Δωρίδος βοη[28]θῆσαι πολεμουμένοις καὶ τὸν περιεστηκότα κίνδυνον [29] λύσαντα συνοικῆσαι τὴν Ἄορος τοῦ Χρυσάορος θυγατέ[30]ρα · καὶ δι᾽ἄλλων δὲ πλειόνων παραδεικνύοντες τὴν ἐκ [31] παλαιῶν χρόνων συνωικειωμένην πρὸς ἡμᾶς εὔνοι[32]αν διὰ τὴν συγγένειαν, ἠξίουν μὴ περιιδεῖν τὴν μεγίσ[33]την πόλιν τῶν ἐν τῆι Μητροπόλει ἐξαλειφθεῖσαν, ἀλ[34]λὰ βοηθῆσαι εἰς τὸν τειχισμὸν καθ᾽ὅσον ἄν δυνατὸ[ν] [35] ἡμῖν ἦι, καὶ φανερὰν ποιῆσαι τοῖς Ἕλλησι τὴν εὔν[οιαν] [36] ἥν ἔχομεν προς τε τὸ κοινὸν τῶν Δωριέων καὶ τὴν Κ[υτε][37]νίων (sic) πόλιν, συναντιλαβομένους ἀξίως τε πρ[ογό][38]νων καὶ ἡμῶν αὐτῶν, χαριεῖσθαί τε ἡμᾶς ὑπακούσαν[39]τας εἰς ταῦτα οὐ μόνον αὐτοῖς ἀλλὰ καὶ Αἰτωλοῖς ταὶ [40] τοῖς ἄλλοις Δωριεῦσι πᾶσιν, καὶ μάλιστα τῶι βασιλεῖ Πτ[ο][41]λεμαίωι ὄντι συγγενεῖ Δωριέων κατὰ τοὺς βασιλεῖς [42] τοὺς αφ᾽ Ἡρακλέους Ἀργεάδας· δεδόχθαι ἀποκρίνασθαι [43] αὐτοῖς ὅτι ἐπὶ μὲν τοῖς περὶ τὴν πόλιν γεγενημένοις [44] ἀκληρήμασιν πάντες Ξάνθιοι συνηχθέσθησαν, οἴον[45]ται δὲ δεῖν ὑπὲρ ὧν παρακαλοῦσιν ὑπακοῦσαι προθύ[46]μως διά τε τὴν ἀπὸ τῶν θεῶν συγγένειαν καὶ τῶν ἡ[47]ρώων καὶ διὰ τὸ τὸν βασιλέα Πτολεμαῖον ἀπόγονον ὄντα [48] Ἡρακλέους ἀναφέρειν τὴν συγγένειαν ἐπὶ τοὺς βασι[49]λεῖς τοὺς ἀφ᾽Ἡρακλέους· εἰ μὲν οὖν μὴ συνεβεβἠκει τὰ κοι[50]νὰ τῆς πόλεως ἀσθενεῖν, φανερὸν ἄν τὴν αὑτῶν ἐποί[51]ησαν εὔνοιαν ὑπερθέμενοι πάντας τῆι φιλανθρωπί[52]αι· ἐπεὶ δ᾽οὐ μόνον τὰ κοινὰ κατανήλωτα(ι) καὶ δανείων [53] δὲ πλῆθος ὑπογέγονεν, ἐπιβαλεῖν τε τοῖς πολίταις [54] οὐδεμίαν ἐξεστιν ἐπιβολὴν διὰ τὴν γεγενημένην οἰ[55]κονομίαν μετὰ ψηφίσματος εἰς ἔτη ἐννέα οἵ τε δυ[56]νατώτατοι τῶν πολιτῶν μεγἀλας εἰσὶν εἰσφορὰς πε[57]ποιημένοι προσφάτως διὰ τοὺς περιστάντας καιρ[ούς], [58] ὑπὲρ ὧν ἀπελογισάμεθα καὶ τοῖς πρεσβευταῖς· διὰ [59] ταύτας τὰς αἰτίας τῆς πόλεως πόρομ μὲν οὐθένα [60] ἐχούσης, δεινὸν δ᾽ἡγουμένης εἶναι τοὺς συγγε[61]νεῖς ἐκταικότας περιιδεῖν ἐν τηλικούτοις ἀκληρή[62]μασιν · δεδόχθαι τοὺς ἄρχοντας δανεισαμένους [63] δοῦναι τοῖς πρεσβευταἰς h Φ᾽ εἰς τὸν τειχισμὸν [64] τῆς πόλεως, πέμψαι δ᾽αὐτοῖς καὶ ξένιον τὸ ἐκ τοῦ νό[65]μου· ἳνα δ᾽ἧι καὶ τοῖς ἐπιγινομένοις ὑπόμνημα τῆς πρὸς [66] Δωριεῖς ὑπαρχούσης οἰκειότητος καὶ τῆς ἡμετέρας [67] εἰς ἐκείνους διὰ τὴν συγγένειαν ἐκτενείας, ἀναγρά[68]ψαι τοὺς ἄρχοντας εἰς στήλην λιθίνην καὶ ἀναθεῖναι εἰς [69] τὸ ἱερὸν τῆς Λητοῦς το τε δόγμα τῶν Αἰτωλῶν καὶ τὴν ἐπι[70]στολὴν τὴν γραφεῖσαν ὑπὸ τῶν στρατηγῶν καὶ τῶν συνέ[71]δρων, ὁμοίως δὲ καὶ τὴν ὑπὸ τῶν Δωριέων ἀποσταλεῖσαν τῆι πόλει [72] καὶ τὸ ψήφισμα τόδε · δοῦναι δὲ αὐτὸ καὶ τοῖς πρεσβευταῖς [73] καὶ καλέσαι αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ξένια.

[Aitolian Decree]
Ἔδοξε τοῖς Αἰτωλοῖς [74] πρεσβείας δόμεν τοῖς Δωριέοις ποτί τε τὰς πόλεις τὰς [75] συγγενεῖς καὶ τοὺς βασιλεῖς τοὺς ἀπὸ Ἡρακλέος Πτολε[76]μαῖον καὶ Ἀντίοχον · τοὺς δὲ ἀποσταλέντας διαλεγές[77]θαι ὅπως καὶ διὰ τὰν ποτὶ Δωριεῖς συγγένειαν καὶ διὰ τὰν ποτ᾽Αἰτω[78]λοὺς συναντιλάβωνται τοῦ τειχισμοῦ τᾶς πόλιος τῶν Κυτε[79]ωιέων ὅπως συνοικισθῆι τὰν ταχίσταν.

[Letter from from Aitolian generals and councilors to the Xanthians]
v Ἀγέλαος, Πανταλέ[80]ων, Μόλοσσος καὶ οἱ σύνεδροι τῶν Αἰτωλῶν Ξανθίων τᾶι Βου[81]λᾶι καὶ δάμωι χαίρειν· Λ[α]μπρίας, Αἴνετος, Φηγεύς, οἱ ἀπο[82]δεδωκότες ὑμῖν τὰν ἐπιστολάν, ἐντὶ μὲν Δωριεῖς ἐκ Κυ[83]τενίου, παραγεγόναντι δὲ ποθ᾽ ὑμὲ πρεσβεύοντες παρὰ [84] τῶν Αἰτωλῶν περὶ τειχισμοῦ τᾶς τῶν Κυτενιέων πόλιος· κα[85]λῶς οὖν ποιήσετε καὶ ἔνεκεν ἁμῶν καὶ τοῦ κοινοῦ τῶν Αἰτω[86]λῶν καὶ τᾶς ποτὶ Δωριεῖς οἰκειότατος ὑμῖν ὑπαρχούσας, [87] διακούσαντες αὐτῶν μετὰ φιλανθρωπίας καὶ ἐν τὰ ἀξιούμε[88]να προθύμως ὑπακούσαντες· ν Ἔρρωσθε·

[Letter from Kytenian civic bodies to the Xanthians]
ν Δωρ[ι]έων τῶν ἀπὸ [89] Ματροπόλιος οἱ πὀλιν Κυτένιον οἰκέοντες Ξανθίων τᾶι βου[90]λᾶι καὶ τῶι δάμωι χαίρειν · Ἀπεστάλκαμες που᾽ὑμὲ πρές[91]βεις καὶ ἁμεῖς καὶ τοὶ Αἰτωλοὶ Λαμπρίαν [Π]αγκλέος, Αἴνετον [92] Πολύτα, Φηγέα Σωτίωνος τοὺς διαλεγησομένους περὶ ὧν [93] ἔχοντι τὰς ἐντολάς ·συμβαίνει γὰρ ἁμῶν, καθ᾽ ὅν καιρὸν [94] ὁ βασιλεὺς Ἀντίγονος ἐνέβαλε ἐν τὰν Φωκίδα, τῶν τε [95] τειχέων μέρη τινὰ καταπεπτώκειν ὑπὸ τῶν σεισμῶν πα[96]σᾶν τᾶμ πολίων καὶ τοὺς νεωτέρους εἰσβοαθοήκε<ι>ν ἐν τὸ ἱερὸ[ν] [97] τοῦ Ἀπόλλωνος τοῦ ἐν Δελφοῖς· παραγενόμενος δὲ ὁ Βασι[98]λεὺς ἐν τὰν Δωρίδα τά τε τείχη ἁμῶν κατέσκαψε πασᾶν [99] τᾶμ πολίων καὶ τὰς οἰκίας κατέκαυσε· ἀξιάζομες οὖν ὑμὲ [100] μνασθέντας τᾶς συγγενείας τᾶς ὑπαρχούσας ἁμῖν [101] ποθ᾽ ὑμὲ μὴ περιιδεῖν τὰμ μεγίσταν τᾶν ἐν τᾶι Ματροπόλ[ι πό][102]λιν Κυτένιον ἐξαλειφθεῖσαν, ἀλλὰ βοαθοῆσαι ἁμῖν ἐν τ[ὸν] [103] τειχισμὸν τᾶς πόλιος καθ᾽ ὅ κα δυνατὸν ὑμῖν φαίνηται ε[ἶ][104]μεν, καὶ φανερὰν ποιῆσαι τοῖς Ἑλλάνοις τὰμ παρ᾽ὑμῶν εὔνοια[ν] [105] ποτί τε τὸ ἔθνο<ς> ἁμῶν καὶ τὰμ πόλιν, συναντιλαβομένους ἀξίως [106] καὶ τῶν προγόνων καὶ ὑμῶν αὐτῶν καὶ τοῦ Ἡρακλέος καὶ τῶν ἀπογό[107]νων αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἁμεῖς δὲ χάριτας ἀποδωσεῖμες καθ᾽ ὅ κα παρακά[108]λητε· γινώσκετε δὲ οὐ μόνον ἁμῖν εὐχαριστῆς ἐόντες ἀλλὰ καὶ [109] [το]ῖς Αἰτωλοῖς καὶ τοῖς ἄλλοις Δωριέοις πᾶσι καὶ μάλιστα βασιλεῖ [110] Πτολεμαίων διὰ τὸ συγγενῆ ἁμῶν εἶμεν κατὰ τοὺς βασιλεῖς.