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 ordered by the "Council of the Islanders" that a certain Thrasyllus shall be crowned "at the first contest of the Ptolemaea, when the tragic poets compete." Two others requite the services of Egyptian officials. This Island League may probably be referred to the period from 300 to 180 B.C. The mention of a festival called Ptolemaea,—the fact that two of the persons honoured are described as "ministers of king Ptolemy" ,—sufficiently indicate that the Confederation was protected by the dynasty of the Lagidae. The Second Ptolemy (Philadelphus, 285–247 B.C.) had sufficient naval power for that purpose. The last mention of the League is in an inscription found at Tenos,—one of those already published by Böckh,—which must be earlier than 166 B.C. Tenos was one, at least, of the meeting-places. There is no proof that the League, or its Council, exercised any functions beyond the regulation of festivals and of honorary rewards. It was probably in political dependence on Egypt. When the Delians desired to collect the moneys which they had lent to the Island Confederation, it is significant that their appeal was made to Philocles, king of Sidon.

While Delos was subject to Athens, the temples were administered by the Athenian "amphictyones."