Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
70. Gentlemen of the jury, he will speak and try to deceive you
(pretending) that he killed Phrynichus in the time of the Four Hundred;
and he says the people made him an Athenian on account of this. But he
lies, gentlemen of the jury, for he neither killed Phrynichus nor did the
people make him an Athenian. 71. For, gentlemen of the jury, Thrasybulus
of Calydon and Apollodorus of Megara conspired against Phrynichus. When
they came up to him as he was walking, Thrasybulus struck Phrynichus and
felled him with a blow, but Apollodorus did not even lay hands upon him.
Then a shout was raised, and they set off to escape. But Agoratus was
neither called in to help nor was he present nor did he know anything of
the deed. This decree will make it plain to you that I tell the truth.
DECREE.
72. That he did not slay Phrynichus is plain from this decree. For
nowhere is it (plain) that Agoratus is an Athenian as it is that
Thrasybulus and Apollodorus are. If he did kill Phrynichus, his having
been made an Athenian ought to be on the very same pillar as Thrasybulus
and Apollodorus ... by giving money to the orator they get their own
names inscribed on the pillars as being doers of good. And this decree
will convince you that I speak the truth.
DECREE.
73. So much does this man despise you that, although not being an
Athenian, he served on the jury and in the assembly, and brought all
manner of indictments, having himself enrolled as from Anagurius.
Phrynichus established the Four Hundred, and when he was put to death
many of the Four Hundred fled. 74. Do you think, therefore, that the
Thirty and the Boule, which was in session under the administration of
the Thirty, all of whom were of the Four Hundred exiles, if they had
captured the man who killed Phrynichus, would have let him go or punished
him on account of the exile to which they were subjected? I think they
would have punished him. If, on the one hand, he pretends to have killed
him, though he did not, he is, as I say, guilty. 75. But if you deny it
and say that you did kill Phrynichus, it is plain that by doing greater
evils to the Athenians you freed yourself to the Thirty from the charge
concerning Phrynichus. For you can never persuade any man that, having
killed Phrynichus, you would have been let off by the Thirty, unless you
did great and incurable wrongs to the people of Athens. 76. If,
therefore, he asserts that he killed Phrynichus, bear these things in
mind and take vengeance for what he has done. But if he says he did not,
ask him on what account he says he became an Athenian. If he can not show
how, punish him because he acted as a juror and served in the assembly
and accused many falsely, having his name enrolled as an Athenian.
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