Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
86. But it is worth while to wonder about those who take their part,
whether they make their accusations as good and honorable men, showing
their own virtue worth more than the baseness of these. I wish that they
were as zealous to save the city as these to destroy it--or whether they
will defend them as skillful in speech, and will show their deeds to be
worthy. But no one of them ever endeavored to speak justly in your
behalf. 87. Again it is worth while to see the witnesses who, testifying
to these things, accuse themselves, thinking that you are very forgetful
and simple-minded, if, they think without fear to save the Thirty through
you; but thanks to Eratosthenes and his fellow-rulers, it became a
fearful thing to go even to the carrying out of the dead. 88. But these
men, if saved, would again be able to destroy the state, but those whom
they destroyed, having died, gave their life beyond the vengeance of
their enemies. Is it not a hard thing if their friends were likely to
perish with those who died unjustly, while many will undertake the
funeral of those who destroyed the state, seeing that so many are
prepared to go to the rescue? 89. And I think it far easier to resist
your wrongs than to defend the conduct of these men. But they say that
Eratosthenes did the fewest evils of the Thirty, and, on this account,
they demand that he shall be saved; but because, of (all) other Greeks,
he has done you the most wrongs, they do not think he ought to perish.
90. Now therefore you will show what opinion you hold in regard to these
matters; if you convict him, it will be evident that you are indignant at
what has taken place; but, if you acquit him, you will seem to desire the
same things as they, and yet you will not be able to say that you did
what was commanded by the Thirty. 91. For in the present case, no one
compels you to acquit contrary to your opinion. So I advise you not to
convict yourselves by acquitting these, nor think that your vote is
secret, for you will make your decision known to the city.
92. I desire to conclude, after reminding both parties of a few things,
the city party and the Piraeus party, in order that, having as proofs the
disasters which have occurred through their means, you may vote.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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