Conflicting Authorities. Asylia between Secular and Divine Law in the Classical and Hellenistic Poleis

Abstract

1. Conflicting authorities: The problem 1 As the story goes (Hdt., I, 157-159), in the late 6th century the Lydian Paktyes had taken refuge as a suppliant in Kyme after an unsuccessful revolt against the Persians. Upon the demand of the Persians to hand him over, Kyme asked the oracle at Didyma how to deal with Paktyes in the way most likely to win the favour of the god. The surprising answer was to deliver him to the Persians. A second embassy was sent to the oracle and its spokesman repeated the question, adding that, in spite of their fear of Persian power, the Kymeans did not dare to follow the initial'instructions until they might receive from Apollon clear instructions upon how they should act. Yet, the answer remained the same. Upon this, the envoy Aristodikos went all round the outside of the temple driving away the birds which had built their nests there; while he was doing it, he heard a voice from the adyton saying: "Most impious among men, how dare you do this wicked thing ? Would you carry off the suppliants (xovi; IKETOK;) from my temple?" And the envoy replied: "Lord Apollon, do you protect your suppliants, yet tell the men of Kyme to abandon theirs ?" "Yes," answered the god; "I do indeed, that you may suffer the sooner for your impious deed (dcePriaavTei;), and never come here again to consult my oracle about handing over suppliants." As very often in ancient religions, a seemingly inconsistent behaviour of the deity turns out to be a test of the mortals' morality and faith.