Basic Information

- Era: 430/29 BC, 426/5 BC, 424/3 BC (Early period of the Peloponnesian War)

- Material: Pentelic marble

- Type: Epitaph Stone (Stele, an engraved stone for Athenian city-state laws)

Image Content

1. Top Relief

The top of the stone tablet retains a small relief: The scene depicts Athena the Goddess, a hunting dog, a standing mortal, and a seated figure. Athena is the protector of Athens. The relief symbolizes that this decree was made under the witness of the goddess.

2. Main Inscription

The stone tablet is largely covered with Attic Ancient Greek, which are multiple official laws issued by the Athenian Assembly.

The decree granted special privileges to the northern city-state Methone (located in the Pherae region near Macedonia): guaranteeing its maritime trade, rights to food imports, exemption from some taxes, and providing protection within the Athenian empire system.