DECREE OF THE SENATE ON THE ACTS OF ATTALUS III
   
( 133 BC )

 
( Johnson, Coleman-Norton & Bourne, Ancient Roman Statutes, Austin, 1961, p. 37, n. 42 ).
  
 
      Attalus III Philometor died in 133 B.C. and left to the Romans his kingdom of Pergamum, which became the province of Asia. This document records the Senate's ratification of the acts of Attalus and of his predecessors. Since it refers to a plan to send governors and makes no mention of the commissioners dispatched to settle the affairs of the province soon after the death of Tiberius Gracchus, it probably was passed shortly after news of the death and will of Attalus had reached Rome.
      This inscription on white marble was found at Pergamum, Asia Minor, between 1886 and 1898.
 
 
ENGLISH TRANSLATION.
 
 
      Decree of the Senate.
      The praetor Gaius Popillius, son of Gaius, consulted the Senate . . . on the . . . of . . . ember.
      Whereas there was a discussion about affairs in Pergamum as to what instructions should be given to the praetors dispatched to Asia regarding the validity of regulations, gifts, concessions, and fines made by the kings in Asia up to the death of Attalus, the senators proposed as follows in regard to the said matter :
      Whereas the praetor Gaius Popillius, son of Gaius, discussed the matter, the senators proposed as follows in regard to the said matter :
      Whatever regulations and fines or gifts and concessions were made by King Attalus and the other kings—which took place at least one day before the death of Attalus—shall be valid, and the praetors dispatched to Asia shall change nothing without good reason, but shall allow these to remain in force in accordance with the Senate's decree.
      Publius Servilius . . . assisted in drafting the decree . . .