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Document Details :

Title: Secretaries, Psephismata and Stelai in Athens
Author(s): OSBORNE, Michael J.
Journal: Ancient Society
Volume: 42    Date: 2012   
Pages: 33-59
DOI: 10.2143/AS.42.0.2172286

Abstract :
This article examines the role of the prytany secretary in Athens in respect of the publication of public decrees. It is argued firstly that the agenda for meetings were minimalist, except perhaps in the case of aiteseis; secondly that, except when the Assembly adopted a specific probouleuma, the prytany secretary played a significant role in shaping the text of decrees; thirdly that the text inscribed on a stele was that finalized by the secretary, that it was no different from the copy placed in the Metroon, and that it constituted the ‘official’ text; and finally (contrary to widespread belief) that, in keeping with the rationale for inscription in terms of information in the case of diplomatic instruments and stimulus to benefaction in the case of honorific measures, all public decrees were inscribed on stelai and that this practice was well within the capacity of public funding and the availability of letter-cutters.

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