It is never too late for a promotion
and certainly not for a posthumous promotion, even if that happens after 1,862
years! This honour was granted to Opramoas
of Rhodiapolis, the great benefactor of Lycia
The initiative was taken by the
Antalya Industrials and Businessmen Association (ANSIAD) after his name was put
forward by Professor Nevzat Cevik, an academic of the Akdeniz University
Archaeology Department. In today’s wording Opramoas
would be called a businessman and as such he became an “honorary member” of
the Association. The idea was that Opramoas
deserved toserve as a raw-model in
today’s business world. If that is not an honour, I don’t know what is!
As explained in my earlier blog Opramoas of Rhodiapolis, this
Lycian notable who worked at the Lycian League (see: The
world’s first Parliament building) attained his wealth from agriculture, banking
and trade, in other words, he was a most successful businessman. He was a great
donor and was especially known for his contributions to rebuilding cities hit
by the earthquake of 141 AD. Based on the inscriptions on his tomb at Rhodiapolis
it has been calculated that his donations amounted to three million dinars, an
astronomic figure! To give an idea, the construction of the two-story high Stoa
at Patara
amounted to 30,000 dinars, which means that he could have financed the building
100 such Stoas. The list of his contributions is a long one and at least 32
cities are known to have received help from Opramoas.
It is not surprising to find his name in almost every antique city you can
visit throughout Lycia
Although he may be best known for
his help to the devastated cities, he also provided food for the poor, arranged
for a dowry to be paid to the newly wed in need and paid the wages of the
workers at the Lycian League (see above).
For a full list of his achievements,
one can go to his tomb at Rhodiapolis
which carries probably the longest Greek text listing all of his benefactions
in 7,000 to 8,000 words. Roll up your sleeves and start reading!