Cleonyms’ Decree on the Tribute Collection

Abstract

In the late summer of 426 BC, during the Peloponnesian War, the Athenian boule and demos passed this decree on the collection of the tribute paid by the cities of the Delian League. The main goal of this document was to ensure that the money paid by each city was successfully collected. The text is actually made of two different decrees, which the assembly approved on two successive days. The first one requires each city to select among its citizens a number of tribute collectors, which will be held responsible for the collection of the sum. Moreover, each year the names of the cities that have already paid and of those still owing money will be recorded, so that the names of the latter can be read in the assembly. A group of five Athenian citizens will visit them in order to claim the money owed. The second decree, voted on the second day, organises the judicial procedure against anyone, Athenian or ally, trying to prevent the regular collection of the tribute.