Privilèges honorifiques ou avantages contractuels?

Observations sur quelques documents épigraphiques ambigus

Abstract

This article deals with privileges, permanent or temporary, that were tied to a specific function (priest, public office holder, artist, teacher, entrepreneur, etc.). After having established a definition of this specific category, the careful examination of certain ambiguous decrees shows that these did not – or at least not only – confer honorary rewards, but also gave rewards dependent on the fulfillment of a contract, based on arrangements that went as far as economic exchange. These practices highlight the pragmatism of Greek societies in public procurement.