Epitaph of Antiochos, King of Kommagini

After the funeral of the scholarly Antiochos, King of
   Kommagini,
whose life had been restrained and gentle,
his sister, deeply afflicted,
wanted an epitaph for him.
So, on the advice of Syrian courtiers,
the Ephesian sophist Kallistratos (who often resided
in the small state of Kommagini
and was a welcome and frequent guest
at the royal house)
wrote an epitaph and sent it to the old lady.

"People of Kommagini, let the glory of Antiochos,
the noble king, be celebrated as it deserves.
He was a provident ruler of the country.
He was just, wise, courageous.
In addition he was that best of all things, Hellenic-
mankind has no quality more precious:
everything beyond that belongs to the gods."

Constantine P. Cavafy


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