Soteria

Polybius suspends his account of the Hannibalic war to resume his account of the wars in Greece. At the edge of that theatre was a clash between the Rhodians (Rhodies?) and Byzantines. He describes the grudge carried in the heart of Prusias, one of the leaders of Rhodes:

One of Prusias’ old grievances against the Byzantines was that they had failed to erect some statues of him; they had voted to do so, but then they had just let the matter slide and forgotten all about it. He also did not like the fact that they had done all they could to try to end the war between Achaeus and Attalus and reconcile them to each other; in his view, warm relations between Achaeus and Attalus would harm his interests in a number of ways. And he felt insulted by the Byzantines’ failure to send emissaries to him for his Soteria,* when apparently Attalus had received such a delegation from Byzantium for his games in honour of Athena. Polybius (2010-11-11). The Histories (Oxford World's Classics) (p. 263). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.

Uh, zowie, what? No emissaries sent for the Soteria? The footnote for "Soteria" tells us

Soteria: a festival instituted in cities all over the Hellenistic world in thanks for deliverance from danger. The occasion and the details of Prusias’ festival are unknown. Polybius (2010-11-11). The Histories (Oxford World's Classics) (p. 466). Oxford University Press. Kindle Edition.

THANK YOU Robin Waterfield for leaving us the actual Greek word Soteria there instead of trying to translate it as "Freedom Festival" or "Deliverance Days" or something. Because this gives us a new depth of context for "Soteria" as it is used in the Bible, where it is everywhere and always translated "Salvation." For he says, "In a favorable time I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Cor. 6:2 (ESV)