Athens and Kydonia: Agora I 7602

A Hellenistic inscription from the Athenian Agora (Agora 17602) concerning syngeneia between Athens and Kydonia in western Crete is reedited here with full commentary. The history of Athenian relations with Kydonia is briefly reviewed.The authors propose a reconstruction of the Kydonians' arguments for mythological kinship between the two cities. Agora 17602 appears to be the earliest firm attestation of mutually accepted syngeneia between Athens and a non-Ionian city. Indeed, it is the first known inscription recording kinship between Athens and another city on grounds other than the latter's status as a colony, at least before the Roman period. © The American School of Classical Studies at Athens