The Greek orators

Name: The Greek orators
Author: Dobson, J. F. (John Frederic)

Dobson, J. F. (John Frederic)

Orators -- Greece; Oratory, Ancient; Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- History and criticism

4. The panic after the battle of Chaeronea (§§ 37-45). Praise
    of those who fell in the battle there (§§ 46-51). Acquittal
    is impossible (§§ 52-54). Another ground of defence cut away
    (§§ 55-58). Further excuses disallowed (§§ 59-62). Attempt of
    his advocates to belittle his crime refuted by appeal to the
    principles of Draco (§§ 63-67). They appeal to precedent—the
    evacuation of the city before the battle of Salamis: this
    precedent can be turned against them (§§ 68-74). The sanctity
    of oaths and punishment for perjury. Appeals to ancient
    history. Codrus (§§ 75-89). Leocrates says he is confident in
    his innocence—_quem deus vult perdere, prius dementat_ (§§
    90-93). Providence (§§ 94-97). Examples of self-sacrifice;
    quotations from Euripides and Homer (§§ 97-105). Praise of
    Sparta. Influence of Tyrtaeus on patriots. Thermopylae (§§
    106-110). Severity of our ancestors towards traitors (§§
    111-127). Sparta was equally severe (§§ 128-129). Due severity
    will discourage treachery, and the treachery of Leocrates is of
    the basest sort (§§ 130-134). His advocates are as bad as he is
    (§§ 135-140). Appeal to the righteous indignation of the judges
    (§§ 141-148).

    _Epilogue_ (§§ 149-150):

    ‘I have come to the succour of my country and her religion and
    her laws, and have pleaded my case straightforwardly and justly,
    neither slandering Leocrates for his general manner of living,
    nor bringing any charge foreign to the present matter; but you
    must consider that in acquitting him you condemn your country
    to death and slavery. Two urns stand before you, the one for
    betrayal, the other for salvation; votes placed in the former
    mean the ruin of your fatherland, those in the latter are
    given for civil security and prosperity. If you let Leocrates
    go, you will be voting for the betrayal of Athens, her religion,
    and her ships; but if you put him to death, you will encourage
    others to guard and secure your country, her revenues, and her
    prosperity. So imagine, Athenians, that the land and its trees
    are supplicating you, that the harbours, the dockyards, and the
    walls of the city are imploring you; that the temples and holy
    places are urging you to come to their help; and make an example
    of Leocrates, remembering what charges are brought against him,
    and how mercy and tears of compassion do not weigh more with
    you than the safety of the laws and the commonwealth.’[410]


§ 3. _Style, etc._

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

The Greek oratorsDobson, J. F. (John Frederic)

History

The Greek orators

Dobson, J. F. (John Frederic)

Orators -- Greece; Oratory, Ancient; Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- History and criticism

4. The panic after the battle of Chaeronea (§§ 37-45). Praise
    of those who fell in the battle there (§§ 46-51). Acquittal
    is impossible (§§ 52-54). Another ground of defence cut away
    (§§ 55-58). Further excuses disallowed (§§ 59-62). Attempt of
    his advocates to belittle his crime refuted by appeal to the
    principles of Draco (§§ 63-67). They appeal to precedent—the
    evacuation of the city before the battle of Salamis: this
    precedent can be turned against them (§§ 68-74). The sanctity
    of oaths and punishment for perjury. Appeals to ancient
    history. Codrus (§§ 75-89). Leocrates says he is confident in
    his innocence—_quem deus vult perdere, prius dementat_ (§§
    90-93). Providence (§§ 94-97). Examples of self-sacrifice;
    quotations from Euripides and Homer (§§ 97-105). Praise of
    Sparta. Influence of Tyrtaeus on patriots. Thermopylae (§§
    106-110). Severity of our ancestors towards traitors (§§
    111-127). Sparta was equally severe (§§ 128-129). Due severity
    will discourage treachery, and the treachery of Leocrates is of
    the basest sort (§§ 130-134). His advocates are as bad as he is
    (§§ 135-140). Appeal to the righteous indignation of the judges
    (§§ 141-148).

    _Epilogue_ (§§ 149-150):

    ‘I have come to the succour of my country and her religion and
    her laws, and have pleaded my case straightforwardly and justly,
    neither slandering Leocrates for his general manner of living,
    nor bringing any charge foreign to the present matter; but you
    must consider that in acquitting him you condemn your country
    to death and slavery. Two urns stand before you, the one for
    betrayal, the other for salvation; votes placed in the former
    mean the ruin of your fatherland, those in the latter are
    given for civil security and prosperity. If you let Leocrates
    go, you will be voting for the betrayal of Athens, her religion,
    and her ships; but if you put him to death, you will encourage
    others to guard and secure your country, her revenues, and her
    prosperity. So imagine, Athenians, that the land and its trees
    are supplicating you, that the harbours, the dockyards, and the
    walls of the city are imploring you; that the temples and holy
    places are urging you to come to their help; and make an example
    of Leocrates, remembering what charges are brought against him,
    and how mercy and tears of compassion do not weigh more with
    you than the safety of the laws and the commonwealth.’[410]


§ 3. _Style, etc._

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The Greek orators

The Greek orators

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