judaism_and_rome 2026-07-22T08:46:24+02:00 1 130 Inscription https://heurist.huma-num.fr/heurist/?recID=130&db=judaism_and_rome 2022-08-16 23:18:38 2025-07-22 16:56:39 public Hadrian and Erastus’s Admission to the Ephesian Council The inscription is broken in several fragments but can be restored by virtue of another surviving copy of the text [I.Eph. 1488]. Letters are elegantly and regularly carved. The first lines with the imperial titulature are larger than the rest of the document. 0128 0128 0129 0129 3232 2007 5bbddef42c17c3ffd1122c66d57e6d745f435959 erastus_hadrian_image.jpg image/jpeg 76 2022-08-12 11:54:01 Hadrian and Erastus’s Admission to the Ephesian Council, 3232, Erastus, Hadrian and Ephesus.jpg (76.18 KB)) https://heurist.huma-num.fr/heurist/?db=judaism_and_rome&file=5bbddef42c17c3ffd1122c66d57e6d745f435959 Greek 3223 4986 3222 3807 3419 2887 <p>Many letters addressed by Hadrian to communities in the eastern Mediterranean have survived (Anastasiadis, <em>An Index</em>, p. 278). Most of them are concerned with issues brought to him by educated diplomats and representatives. This document is special because the emperor writes not to respond to a petition but rather to request a favour. Consequently, it can shed light on certain aspects that normally escape the epigraphic representation of the relations established between Rome and its subjects.<br /><br />Hadrian presents himself with a typical titulature emphasising, firstly, his dynastic connections with the adopted ancestors Trajan and Nerva (see Hekster, <em>Emperors</em>, p. 180-181). Secondly, the list of civil and religious offices enables us to date the document between 10^th December 128 and 9^th December 129, the period in which he held the tribunician powers for the 13^th time. This year coincides with the contemporary event recorded in line 11: Hadrian was heading from Eleusis in Greece to Ephesus in Asia. The trip was made by boat and Lucius Erastus partipated in the imperial expedition as a sea-captain (see Drew-Bear, Richard, "Hadrien et Erastos"). This was the second time that Hadrian had met this man after they travelled together from Ephesus to the island of Rhodes in 124 CE (see Halfmann, <em>Itinera</em>, p. 201; Birley, <em>Hadrian</em>, p. 172-174). From these two encounters a sentiment of gratitude had grown in the emperor and he was now trying to reward his services. Such favours for sea-captains are not unprecedented in Roman history as confirmed by the <em>S.C. de Asclepiade </em>or the Roman citizenship granted to Seleukos of Rhosos. In this case, the grant of Roman citizenship typical of the late Republic and early Empire does not appear to be at stake. Instead, Hadrian is concerned with the admission of Lucius Erastus to the Ephesian council (βουλή/<em>boulê</em>). Accordingly, Hadrian addressed his letter to this institution and the magistrates (ἄρχοντες/<em>archontes</em>) of the city, but not to the Ephesian people (δήμος/<em>dêmos</em>) as it would be customary (l. 5).<br /><br />The emperor outlines the case from lines 6 to 13, introducing Lucius Erastus’ words. The sea-captain affirmed to be a citizen (πολείτης/<em>poleitês</em>) of Ephesus and to have been useful (χρήσιμος/<em>chrêsimos</em>) for his fatherland (πάτρις/<em>patris</em>) by virtue of his maritime operations. For instance, he had transported many Roman authorities (ἡγεμόνες/<em>hêgemones</em>) into the province (ἔθνος/<em>ethnos</em>). At the beginning of the 3^rd century CE, Caracalla ruled that governors of Asia should set foot on Ephesus first (<em>Dig.</em> 1.16.4.5), and the city celebrated this achievement on its coins (BMC <em>Ionia</em> p. 99 no. 346). Consequently, Erastus’s activities could indeed be regarded as positive and beneficial for the whole of the Ephesian community.  Moreover, Hadrian supported such claims with his personal experience and journeys. The emperor, however, does not submit his request directly, but rather puts it in the sailor’s mouth. The verb εὔχεται/<em>euchetai</em> (“wishes”) appears in 3^rd person singular and conveys the desire to become councillor (βουλευτής/<em>bouleutês</em>). This careful choice of words is particularly noteworthy as it shows respect for the local institutions. Hadrian could have just given binding instructions as attested in the edict drafted to curb the abuses of his soldiers in Asia. Instead, he addresses Ephesus on terms of alleged equality. This is most evident in the sentence recorded between lines 12 and 13. The key term is δοκιμασία/<em>dokimasia</em>, which was the selection process that candidates to the council had to pass (see Dmitriev, <em>City Government, </em>p. 154-157). If admitted, they might also have to pay an entrance fee as Pliny the Younger reports when he was governor of Bithynia-Pontus under Trajan (<em>Letters </em>X.112) and tried to homogenise provincial administration. This emperor, nonetheless, still recommended in this matter to follow “the law of each of the cities” (<em>Letters </em>X.113). His successor Hadrian was likewise aware of such local regulations and therefore leaves the matter in the hands of the Ephesians (ὑμεῖν/<em>hymein</em>). Indeed, the emperor even presents the possibility of encountering obstacles (ἐνποδών/<em>enpodôn</em>) and offers to pay for the corresponding fee (ἀργύριον/<em>argyrion</em>) of the election (ἀρχαιρεσία/<em>archairesia</em>).<br /><br />Hadrian’s letter does not contain obvious language of Roman domination and subjection. While it is true that the emperor’s support almost guaranteed the success of this request, no orders are issued. Even if Hadrian had such powers, he decided to maintain a tradition of nuanced diplomacy certainly preferred by the provincial population. Greek cities in the eastern Mediterranean had constantly been under the control of foreign powers; be it the Persians, Macedonians and now the Romans. And yet, they managed to retain some prerogatives of autonomy that a Philhellenist ruler such as Hadrian could not intend to shatter. Lucius Erastus was most likely admitted to the Ephesian council, since no community in the province of Asia would have dared to dismiss an imperial endorsement. Nevertheless, the Ephesians could be both content and proud to display the amicable and respectful terms on which Hadrian had contacted them. Such a local reaction could explain that the text was inscribed not only once but, at least, twice on the walls of the council house (see above). These copies are also important because they immediately anticipate the advantageous benefactions granted by Hadrian during his second stay at the city in 129 CE, when the resources of the temple of Artemis were secured, grain from Egypt imported, and the harbour refurbished. In the second half of the same year, the emperor started moving eastwards and soon reached the Levant, visiting Arabia and Judaea in 130 CE. In this trip, traces of imperial intervention such as the arch of Gerasa and the foundation of Aelia Capitolina can be found. Nonetheless, no documents have been discovered illustrating the complex, multi-layered, and delicate balance that Rome could establish between its dominion and the respect for local institutions.            </p> Roman power letter local institutions autonomy Roman domination imperial visit imperial favour Hadrian diplomacy respect British Museum, London [1867,1122.429] Marble 101.6 centimetres in height, and 1.82 metres in width 2nd CE 5832 Council house of Ephesus, proscenium 217 180 75 132 134 Roman Greek Die Inschriften von Ephesos V.1487 [SIG3 838] No <p align="left">This edition is based on <em>Die Inschriften von Ephesos V</em>, no. 1487, Bonn, Habelt, 1980.</p> <table style="height: 435px; width: 1399px;" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">Αὐ[το]κράτωρ Καῖσαρ θεοῦ Τ[ραιανοῦ]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">Παρθ[ι]κοῦ ὑιός, θεοῦ Νέρ[ο]υ̣α̣ υ̣[ἱ]ων[ός,]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">Τραια[ν]ὸς Ἁδριαν[ὸ]ς Σεβασ[τός, ἀρ]χιερεὺ[ς]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">μέγισ[το]ς, δημαρχ[ικῆ]ς ἐξουσί[ας το ι]γʹ, ὕπατος τὸ γʹ,</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left">5</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">πατὴ[ρ πατ]ρίδος Ἐφ[εσί]ων τοῖς ἄ[ρ]χουσ[ι καὶ τῆι β]ουλῆι χαίρειν.</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">Λ(ούκιος) Ἔ[ρ]αστος καὶ πολε̣[ί]της ὑ[μ]ῶν ε̣ῖναί φ[ησιν, κ]αὶ πολλ[ὰ ἔτη]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">πλῖ καὶ τ[ὴ]ν θάλασ[σαν, καὶ ὅσα ἀπὸ τούτ̣[ου δυν]ατὸς [ἦν]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">χρήσιμ[ο]ς γενέσ[θαι τῇ πατρ]ίδι, καὶ τοῦ ἔθν[ους] τ̣ο̣[ὺς] ἡγε-</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">μόνας ἀεὶ δι[α]κ̣ομ[ίζειν·] ἐ̣[μ]οὶ δὲ δ[ὶς] ἤδη συ̣[νέπλευ]σεν,</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left">10</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">τὸ μὲν πρῶτον εἰς Ῥόδον ἀπὸ τῆς Ἐ[φέ]σου κο[μιζ]ομέ[νῳ,]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">νῦν δὲ ἀπ’ Ἐλευσεῖνος πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἀφικ[ν]ουμέν[ῳ· εὔ]χετα[ι]</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">δὲ βουλευτὴς γενέσθαι· κἀγὼ τὴν̣ μὲν [δοκι]μασία[ν ἐ]φ’ ὑμεῖν</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">ποιοῦμαι· εἰ δὲ μηδὲν ἐνποδὼν [εἴη αὐτῷ, ἀλλὰ δόξαι τῆς τει]μῆς ἄξ[ι]ος,</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left"> </div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">τὸ ἀργύριον ὅσον διδόασιν οἱ βουλεύοντες [δώσω τῆς ἀρχαι]ρεσίας [ἕ]νεκα.</div> </td> </tr><tr><td valign="top" width="27"> <div align="left">15</div> </td> <td valign="top" width="397"> <div align="left">                                           εὐτυχεῖτε.</div> </td> </tr></tbody></table> <p>The translation is my own and seeks to remain as close to the Greek syntax and line separation as possible. </p> <p>Emperor Caesar, son of the god Trajan/, grandson of the god Nerva /, Trajan Hadrian Augustus, pontifex/ maximus, with tribunician powers for the 13^th time, consul for the 3^rd/, father of the fatherland, to the magistrates and council of the Ephesians, greetings//. L(ucius) Erastus says that he is your citizen, and that for many years/ he has sailed the sea, and that as much as he could from this (activity)/ he was of use to the fatherland, and that he always transported/ the authorities of the province. For me he has already sailed twice/, the first time being escorted from Ephesus to Rhodes//, and now arriving from Eleusis into your (city). He wishes to become a councillor. I do leave the examination in your hands. And, if there is no obstacle, and you consider him worthy of the honour, I will give as much fee as the councillors give for the election. Farewell! </p> Translation by author of the database record Yes Hadrian respectfully recommends the admission of his sea-captain to the Ephesian council. αὐτοκράτωρ Καῖσαρ ̓Αδριανός ἄρχων βουλή πολίτης θάλασσα χρήσιμος πατρίς ἔθνος ἡγεμών εὔχομαι ἔμποδος ἄξιος ἀργύριον ἀρχαιρεσία Aitor Blanco Pérez English Imperial letter Yes 228 1