IGI3 421 Sale of property confiscated from those condemned for mutilating the Herms and profaning the Mysteries (A)

Translation by: Stephen Lambert, Robin Osborne

[1] AIO follows OR in initially providing three extracts from this set of 10 inscriptions, known as the "Attic stelai" (Pollux 10.97). See also IG I³ 425, IG I³ 426. [2] During the preparations for the Sicilian expedition (cf. IG I³ 93) the pillars of Hermes ("herms") that stood in doorways all over the city were vandalised (Thuc. 6.27; Aristophanes Lys. 1093–4; on herms see IG I³ 1023, with notes) and it was alleged that a group of men had also parodied the Eleusinian Mysteries, both serious acts of impiety. Despite being implicated, Alcibiades departed with the Sicilian expedition, being summoned back to Athens only later in the summer (Thuc. 6.53, 60–61). He returned only as far as Thurii, where he jumped ship. "The Athenians condemned Alcibiades and those with him to death in absentia" (Thuc. 6.61.7). FGH 328 Philochoros F134 (cf. Pollux 10.97) adds that "their names were written on a stele, their property confiscated, and a reward of a talent per head advertised to any who killed them". We are also informed in detail about the case by Andokides 1. Twelve of the thirty-three names recorded by Andokides as denounced over the Mysteries and four of the twenty-two names that he gives of mutilators of the herms appear on surviving fragments of these inscriptions, and one further name. Those implicated in the affair were mainly from the elite, predominantly from urban demes, and three of them, Alcibiades, Axiochos and Phaidros, feature in Platonic dialogues. The condemned men are typically listed on the inscriptions more than once (Axiochos and Adeimantos nine times on surviving fragments) and the items sold give a clear impression of the range and extent of their property: real estate, both in Attica and elsewhere, stores of agricultural produce, slaves, and furnishings of all sorts. One sale, of property belonging to Oionias son of Oinochares of Atene on Euboea in the Lelantine plain, in Diros and Geraistos, raised the remarkable sum of 81 tal. 2000 dr. (IG I³ 422, 375-8), by far the most expensive property holding attested for an Athenian of the classical period (and not the only listing for this man. Landholdings in excess of 2 tal. are unusual). [3] The sale of confiscated property at auction was one of the responsibities of the official sellers (poletai). In addition to the amount raised by the sales themselves, a sales tax (eponion) is recorded, calculated on a sliding scale where the minimum rate was 1% (1 ob. payable on sales under 5 dr., 3 ob. on under 50 dr.. 1 dr. on under 100 dr. etc.). The total raised by the sales can be estimated at between 500 and 1000 talents. [4] 44 slave sales are recorded in these inscriptions, including at least 16 from the property of the metic Kephisodoros (421.33–49). The largest number are identified as Thracians (12), Carians (7), but Scythians, Syrians, Illyrians, and one each from Colchis, Lydia, Macedonia, Phrygia, Messenia and Malta are also recorded; 3 are identified as home-bred (oikogenes). Prices range from 72 dr. for a Carian boy to 360 dr. for a Carian goldsmith, broadly in line with slave prices attested in the orators. [5] A wide range of household goods is sold; notable for their absence are fine pottery (with few exceptions, e.g. two kraters) and arms and armour (except a short spear and a spear without butt-spike, 422.266-7). [6] Polystratos of Ankyle was the only man implicated in this affair who was certainly executed (Andok. 1.13). Typically of these lists, he owned property in several places: land in his own deme, and houses in Kydathenaion (on which see Agora XVI 68, with notes) and Piraeus (on which see AIUK 4.3A, 1, with notes; 424.5-8; IG I³ 426, 65-71).