Herodotus, Histories 1.54.2 · 1.54.2
Delphi's privileges
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Δελφοὶ δὲ ἀντὶ τούτων ἔδοσαν Κροίσῳ καὶ Λυδοῖσι προμαντηίην καὶ ἀτελείην καὶ προεδρίην, καὶ ἐξεῖναι τῷ βουλομένῳ αὐτῶν γίνεσθαι Δελφὸν ἐς τὸν αἰεὶ χρόνον.
In return for these, the Delphians gave Croesus and the Lydians priority at the oracle, exemption from dues, and front seats, and the right for any of them who wished to become a Delphian, for all time.
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The setting
In return, the Delphians grant Croesus and the Lydians lasting honors.
A note on this passage
The honors come in a list of four, and each is a real civic privilege rather than a gesture: promanteiē, the right to ask the oracle before anyone waiting in line; ateleia, freedom from the dues a foreign city could otherwise charge; proedriē, a seat at the front for festivals and games; and the standing option to become a Delphian outright. Delphi is not only thanking Croesus, it is making him and his people permanent insiders.
The phrase that closes the chapter, es ton aiei chronon, "for time everlasting," answers the exchange that opened it. Croesus paid for a true answer and got one; now he pays again and receives a status that is supposed to never run out. Herodotus states both transactions in the same flat, record-keeping voice, so the reader can weigh the oracle's permanent gift against the promise it will shortly be asked to live up to.
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