The Earthquake of 26 BCE in Decrees of Mytilene and Chios

Abstract

A decree of Mytilene (IG XII 2, 58), datable to the early years of Augustus’ principate, is to be connected with an earthquake or series of earthquakes that affected the city about the year 26 BCE. A decree from near the end of the reign, known from a copy in Olympia (IvOl 53), is not from Cos, as has been supposed, but from Chios, and refers to the reconstruction of Chios after the same earthquake. A new edition of this decree is provided.