Speeches, addresses, etc., Greek -- Translations into English
18. It is easy to see that Aristophanes, already married, would have
confided in any one sooner than my father. For their ages were wide
apart, and their dispositions still more; for my father had merely his
own concerns to attend to, but Aristophanes wished to attend not only to
his own private affairs, but to public ones as well, and if he had any
money, he spent it in his desire for honor. 19. You know from what he
used to do that I speak the truth. For first, when Conon wished to send
some one to Sicily, he undertook the commission and went with Eunomus,
enjoying the friendship and hospitality of Dionysius, who benefited the
state greatly, as I heard from those in his company at Piraeus. 20. And
the hope of the expedition was to persuade Dionysius to become allied to
Evagoras, and hostile to the Spartans, and a friend and ally to your
city. And this they did in spite of dangers which threatened by sea and
from the enemy, and they persuaded Dionysius not to send the trireme
which he had prepared for the Spartans. 21. And afterwards, when
ambassadors came from Cyprus for assistance, he did cease his activity.
You gave them triremes, and voted other aid, but they lacked funds for
the expedition. For they came with little money, and asked for much; for
they (asked it) not only for the ships, but they hired mercenaries, and
bought arms. 22. Now Aristophanes himself furnished most of the money;
and when there was not enough, he persuaded his friends, asking for it
and giving securities, and having forty minae of his half-brother at his
house he used them up. And the day before he sailed, he went to my father
and asked him to lend him whatever money he had. For he said it was
needed for paying the mercenaries. We had in ready money seven minae, and
he took this and used it up. 23. Now what man, gentlemen of the jury,
ambitious, with letters from his father that he would find no lack in
Cyprus, having moreover been chosen ambassador, and being about to sail
to Evagoras, would have left everything behind, and would not, if he
could by contributing everything, please him (_Evagoras_) and make a
large profit? That this is the case, call Eunomus.
WITNESSES.
24. You hear the witnesses, both that they lent (the money) at his
demand, and that they received it back, for it was brought them on the
trireme.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account