Der sogenannte Piratenüberfall auf Teos und die Diadochen: Eine Neuedition der Inschrift SEG 44, 949

Abstract

This article presents a new edition with extensive commentary of an epigraphic dossier from Teos in Ionia, consisting of two civic decrees and a list of creditors. The dossier was first published in 1994 and comprises the solicitation of a public bond, the declaration of property under oath, and the announcement of an exceptional property tax. These measures are linked to so-called «pirates», who had apparently raided and extorted the city. Contrary to what had been previously assumed, the events documented in the dossier are not related to the efforts Teos undertook to have its asylia acknowledged from 204 BCE onwards. Palaeographic, prosopographic and especially numismatic considerations – the mention of Alexander drachmas together with gold coins – securely place the texts in the environs of 300 BCE. It is very likely that they belong in the context of Demetrios Poliorketes’ Asian campaign (287/6 BCE), since he is mentioned by name. The stele bearing the dossier was part of a freestanding monument that was visible from all sides and is thus comparable to the lists of fallen soldiers familiar from Athens. A threatening crisis was thus processed by setting up an imposing public monument that served the purpose of reassuring the civic community of Teos.