SYNTAXIS
SYNTAXIS (
σύνταξις), a
contribution, assessment. Under the revived Athenian empire in the 4th
century B.C. the
PHOROS of the
5th century was euphemistically called by this name. The reassertion of
maritime supremacy by the Athenians dates formally from the archonship of
Nausinicus (B.C. 378-7); but there are indications that the levying of
tribute had begun as early as 380, the date of the
Panegyricus of Isocrates (
τοὺς
νησιώτας δασμολογεῖν, § 132;
τῶν Κυκλάδων νήσων ἀμφισβητοῦμεν, § 136). The
pretence of equal and honourable alliance was soon dropped, and the new
confederacy became as unpopular as the old. These
συντάξεις are frequently mentioned by the Orators (Isocr.
Areop. § 2;
de
Pace, § 36;
Antid. § 113;--Dem.
de Pace, p. 60.13;
de
Cor. p. 305.234;
συντάξεις καὶ
φόρους, Isocr.
Panath. § 116):
occasionally in inscriptions (
C. I. A. 2.62 and 108;
Mitth. d. Inst. 2.142). In Plutarch we find an
illustration of the more or less considerate way in which such contributions
might be levied (
Phoc. 7); and of the Athenian habit of
calling unpleasant things by soft names (
ὑποκορίζεσθαι,
Sol. 15:
τοὺς δὲ
φόρους συντάξεις is one of his instances).
(Boeckh, book iii. ch. 17, “On the Tributes and Allies of Athens after
the Anarchy,” esp.
P. E. p. 418 ff. =
Sthh.3 1.494 ff., with
Fränkel's notes; Grote, cc. 75, 77, vol. vii. pp. 38, 90, ed. 1862,
and note on
συντάξεις, p. 91.)
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