228 ORATIONOF
myfelf even in a Body of Troops feledled from the reft of our
Army for their Courage, that I was crowned by our Generals in
the Field, and a fecond Time by the People, when I returned
to Athens.
myfelf even in a Body of Troops feledled from the reft of our
Army for their Courage, that I was crowned by our Generals in
the Field, and a fecond Time by the People, when I returned
to Athens.
Demosthenes - Orations - v2
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? 2i8 O R A T I O N O F
of the thirty, and fhared in the Calamities of her Country. But
you, who contend for your being a Man (though I (hould hefi-
tate extremely to pronounce that you are really a Man) were
profecuted for deferting your Rank in the Day of Battle, and
efcaped only by buying off the Evidence of Nicodemus, whom
you afterwards murdered with the A fTiftance of Ariftarchus,,
and then rufhed into the Forum with your Hands ftained with
Blood.
My eldeft Brother, Philocrates, who does not, as you ca-
lumnioufly affirm, fpend his Time in unmanly amufements,
but in the generous Exercifes of the Gymnafium ; who was
Fellow-Soldier to Iphicrates, and three fucceffive Years a
General of your Forces, comes hither to implore your Com-
paffion to preferve me. My youngeft Brother Aphobetus
maintained, with a Dignity befitting the Republic, the Charac-
ter of your Ambaflador to the King of Perfia, and when you
appointed him in the Direction of the public Revenues, he
managed them with Honour and Integrity. His Children are
legitimately begotten, for he never proftituted his Wife to
Cnofion, as thou haft done. He now is prefent in Contempt
of your Invedives, for Invedlives, not founded upon Truth,
pafs no farther than the Ears.
But thou haft dared to fpeak againft my other Relations,
fhamelefs as thou art and ungrateful, not to love, not to adort
the
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? ^ S C H I N E S. 219
the Father of Pliilon and Epicrates by whom you were en-
rolled a Denizon of Athens, as the elder Citizens of the Pae-
anian Tribe are perfedlly confcious. Yet I am flruck with
Aftonifhment, that you dare to calumniate Philon in the Pre-
fence of thefe Athenians, who are eminently diftinguiflied
for their Love of Juftice, who have entered this Court with a
Refolution to pronounce fuch a Sentence, as may be of greatefl
Advantage to the RepubHc, and who pay more Attention to
the Lives of the Criminal and Profecutor, than to their Ora-
tions. Yet can you imagine, they would not rather choofe ten
thoufand Soldiers like Philon, thus fafhioned in their Perfons,
thus temperate in their Courage, than thrice ten thoufand prof-
tituted Wretches, like thee? Then you turn the well educated
Manners of Epicrates into Reproach ; and indeed who ever
faw him behave himfelf indecently either by Day, as you affirm,
in the Feftival of Bacchus, or by Night? You cannot affert,
he efcaped by his Obfcurity, for he was not unknown.
By Philodemus his Daughter, the Sifter of Philon and Epi-
crates, I have three Children j a Daughter and two Sons,
whom I bring hither with my other Relations, for the fake of
one Queftion, which I fhall now aflc, and for a particular
Argument with regard to my Judges. I afk, Athenians,' whe-
ther you think it probable, that befides my Duty to my
Country, the Commerce of my Friends, the Participation of
? our I'eHgious Rites, and the Sepulchres' of my Anceftors, I
F f a fhould
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? 220 ORATIONOF
fhould betray my Children, to me the deareft of all human
Beings, to Philip, or fliould rate his Friendfhip at an higher
Value, than their Safety. By what Pleafure have I ever been
enflaved? When did I ever do any thing unworthy of my
Reputation for the fake of Money ? Not Macedonia, but their
own natural Difpojfition, renders Men vitious or virtuous ; nor
are we different, when we return from an Embafly, from what
you fent us, but the very fame. But I have been joined in
Office with a Man, (46) eminently praftifed in all Impoftures, of
a malevolent Spirit, who never willingly fpoke Truth j who ufhers
in his Lies with an Oath, and an Eye of Impudence; who not
only aflerts his Fads, and the Manner in which they happened,
but mentions the very Day, and according to his Invention, in
Imitation of thofe who tell Truth, he adds the Name of fome
Perfon, who by chance was prefent.
However, we, who are innocent, are in one Inftance moft
fortunate, that with his extraordinary Genius for lying, he never
preferves his Senfes in the Compoiition of his Stories. You may
compute at once the Imprudence, and Ignorance of the Man,
who invented againfl me fuch an improbable Falfehood, as that of
the Olynthian Woman, in which he was interrupted by you,
when he was fpeaking, and driven out of the Aflembly; (47)
for
(46) It may be worth obferving, that irvfi7rt7rXey[/. ui, the Reading of our E-
Stephans reads a-v^TihiKoi^on inftead of ditions.
(47) Demofthenes Oration, Page 89.
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? ^ S C H I N E S. 221
for he accufed a Perfon moft diftant from fuch Turpitude before
thofe, who were confcious of the Purity of his Manners. But
confider how long he was preparing himfelf for this Calumny.
Ariftophanes, an Olynthian, generally refided here in AtJiens.
He was recommended by fome certain Perfons to Demofthcnes,
who was informed befides, that he was a very powerful Orator,
and who therefore endeavoured by every poflible Art to engage
him in his Interefts, and induce him to give a perjured Evi-
dence againft rae. He promifed, if he would form fome mife-
rable Story, and aflure you, that in a drunken Riot I had
infulted a Woman, who was his Relation, and a Captive, he
would inflantly give him five hundred Drachmas, and five
hundred others, when he had given Evidence of the Fadl. A-
riflophanes anfwered, as he himfelf aflured us, that v/ith regard
to his Banifhment and his Poverty, Demofthenes had not er-
roneoufly, but rather with all poflible Sagacity aimed his Con-
jedures; but that he erred extremely in his Opinion of his
Morals, for he never would commit fo infamous an Adion. la
Proof of what I have aflerted, I fhall produce Ariftophanes
himfelf, as a Witnefs. Let him be fummoned ; "let his Teftimony
be read; then fummon Dercyllus and Ariftides, who heard him
tell this Story, and informed me of it.
The Testimony,
You hear the Witnefies, and their Evidence, given upon
Oath; and do you not remember thofe unhallowed Arts of Ora-
tory,
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? 222 O R A T I O N O F
tory, which he boafted to our young Citizens (48) and which
he now employs againft me; how he wept, how he lamented
the Fate of Greece ; how excellively he applauded Satyrus the
Comedian, for having at a Banquet entreated PhiHp to give him
fome Perfons, with whom he had formerly lived in Hofpitality,
and who were then Prifoners and in Chains, digging in his
Vineyards ? Having laid this Foundation, he added, raifing that
flirill and direful Voice, how deplorable is it, that Satyrus the
Reprefentative of two inconfiderable Cities (49) fhould appear
with fuch Generofity and Magnanimity, and that I, who direded
the Counfels of a powerful Republic, who prefumed to give
Advice to the fupreme Aflembly of Arcadia, could not reftrain
the Licentioufnefs of my Manners, but heated with Wine, at
an Entertainment to which we were invited by Xenodocus, (50)
one of Philip's Friends, I dragged by the Hair, and fcourged
with my own Hands, a captive Woman ? If you had there-
fore either given Credit to him, or if Ariftophanes had joined
with him in vouching this Falfehood againft me, I might have
periflied unjuftly for a Crime of the moft exceflive Turpitude.
Will you then fufFer this Wretch, his own Evil Genius (for never
may
(48) To- inflame their Paffions and Xanthia. The Matter is not of Impor-
raife their Indignation againft his Adver- tance, yet much Diligence hath been ufed
fary. Dodlor Tayfor has with great to find the Hiftory or Situation of thefe
Learning given us many different Mean- Countries. Neither Wolfius nor his Com-
ings for the Word l-TrxyyiXXeTut. None mentators mention them in their Notes,
ofthem will explain the prefent Paffage, (50) By Demofthenes called Xeno-
and WolSus is fuffered to trapflate it P^ron, Page 89 ; for by a Miftake of
pollcetur. ' the Prefs it is there printed Xeno;phon,
(49) In the Original, Cariones and
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? iE S C H I N E S. 223
may he prove fuch to the Republic) to dwell any longer among
you? Will you purify this Aflembly, and in your Decrees
offer up your Vows through him ? Will you fend forth Armies,
and appoint naval Expeditions under his Name? Yet Hefiod
pronounces
For one Man's Crimes, on many a deftin'd State
Impetuous defcends the Wrath of Fate.
Let me add one Remark more to what I have already faid;
that if there be any Species of Villainy among Mankind in which
I cannot demonftrate, that Demofthenes is a principal Charader,
I fhall acknowledge, I ought to be capitally condemned.
But many fevere Diftrefles attend theaccufed. His Danger
calls back his Thoughts from every particular Relentment againft
others to the Confideration of his own proper Safety, and obliges
him to refleiSl:, left he {hould pafs over any Article of the Ac-
cufation. I fhall therefore endeavour to recall to your remem-
brance, and my own, the principal Articles of this Profecution;
then do you, Athenians, confider them feparately. For what
particular Decree, that I have prefcriled, am I now accufed?
What Conventions have I ever formed againft the interefts of
the Republic? When did I erale whatever you decreed con-
cerning this Peace, or infert what you difapproved? Did :h?
Peace difpleafe fome of our Orators? Should they not eitlier
have oppofed it then, or not accufe me now ? Some of them
during
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? 224 ORATIONOF
during the War grew rich by our Tributes, and the public Re-
venues. Thofe Methods of growing rich are now ceafed, for
Peace will not maintain Idlenefs. But fmce they, who
never were injured and yet are perpetually injuring the Repub-
lic, vvould now take vengeance of him, who fupported this
Peace, will you, who have experienced the Advantages of it,
defert the Perfons, who have rendered themfelves thus ufeful to
the Public?
But I fang Hyains in Honour of Apollo with Philip, while
the Cities of the Phocasans, as my Accufer afTerts, were lying
in Ruins. (51) And by what Argument can he clearly prove
the Truth of this Aflertion ? I was invited to the ufual Enter-
tainment of Hofpitality with my Colleagues. There were befides
invited, and who fupped with us and the other Grecian Ambafla-
dors, not lefs than two hundred Perfons. Among this Number, ^
for fo it appears, I was confpicuoufly diftinguifhed, not for my
Silence, but my finging, as you are affured by Demofthenes,
who was neither prelent himfelf, nor hath produced a iingle
Witnefs, who was prefent. But by what Means could I be thus
confpicuous, unlefs perchance, as in a Chorus, I fang before the
reft of the Company ? If I was filent therefore, you charge
me falfely; but when our Country was in perfe(ft Safety, and
our Citizens not opprefled by any general Misfortune, it I then
fang an Hymn in Honour of Apollo with the other Ambafla-
dors,
(5i)-Demofthenes Oration, Page 59,
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? iE S C H I N E S. 225
dors, and the Athenians were not difhonoured by it, I aded
with a pious Regard to Religion ; I committed no Crime, and
fhould now in Juftice be acquitted. Yet upon thefe Accounts,
I am it feems a Man unworthy of Compaflion, while you, who
proiecute your Colleagues, in Violation of the facred Duties
of our common Entertainments and Libations, are pious and
religious.
But you have reproached me with the Abfurdity of my po-
litical Conduct in going Ambaflador to Philip, when I had be-
fore encouraged the Grecians to take up Arms againft him.
However, you may make this Objedion, if you pleafe, to the
whole Athenian People in their public Counfels. You had
entered into War againft the Lacedsemonians, and after the un-
fortunate Battle of Leudlra you fent them Succours. You re-
ftored the exiled Thebans to their Country, and afterwards met
them in the Field at Mantinsea. You declared War againft the
Eretrians and Themifon ; you afterwards preferved them. With
regard to numberlefs other Grecian States you have adled in the
fame Manner. For it is neceflary, either for a private Perfon, or
a Republic, to yield to the Force of ConjuncSlurcs, and manage
them to the beft Advantage. How ftiould an able Senator a6t ?
Should he not upon any imminent Occafton confult the Interefts
of his Country ? The malevolent Profecutor, what Language
fhall hefpeak? Shall he not conceal particular Conjundlures,
and accufe particular Circumftances of Condudl? How fhall
Vol. IL G g we
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? 226 ORATIONOF
we diftlnguiili the Man, who is by Nature a Betrayer? Is he
not diftinguifhable by abufing, as you have done, the Confi-
dence of thofc, who employ him, by writing Declamations for
them to be pronounced in our Courts of Judicature, and after-
wards taking a Bribe to expofe them to their Adverfaries? (52}
Thus you got Money for writing a Declamation for Phormio the
Banker, and you gave a Copy of it to Apollodorus, who had
indidled Phormio for a capital Crime. You entered into the
happy Dwelling of Ariflarchus, which you laid in Ruins. You
took ihree Talents ftom Ariftarchus before his Banifhment, and
afterwards plundered him of the Pittance he had provided to
fupport him in his Exile. Nor did you blufh at the Report^
that you pretended to be an Admirer of the young Man's
Beauty. Your Admiration was indeed pretended, for real
Love never admits of Villainy. Such is the Betrayer, and fucK
as thefe the Marks of his Charader.
But he fome where nientioned my military Expeditions, and
called me a moft accomplifhed Soldier, {^t,) Yet not in regard
to his Calumny, but in Coniideration of my prefent Danger, I
may be permitted to vindicate my Reputation as a Soldier^
without being expofed to any invidious Refledlions. For where,
or
(? 52) The Alteration of a Comma in Noi writing for Birey but betraying for a-
Stephans upon the Word ln(pi^u gives Bribe.
this Sentence a Meaning very different (53) Demofthenes, Page 52, calls him.
from that of our Editions. It is followed a marvellous fVarrior, Bxvixda-ios s-^ccn^
by this Tranflation. xdyoui w, rcc Si- uttj;.
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? ^ S C H I N E S, 227
or when, or among whom, excepting this Day, fliall I ever
mention it? When I had pafled the Age of Boyhood, I was
two Years in Garrifon upon our Frontiers. I fhall produce the
young People of my own Rank, and who ferved in the fame
Station, as my Witnefles to the Fad:. In my firft Campaign I
was ftationed in that Body of Troops, which are refcrved at
Diftance from the Danger of Battle. (54) I marched under
the Command of Alcibiades with my Cotemporarics in the Ex-
pedition to Phlius, and in an Engagement at the Nemesan
Gulph I was honoured with the Approbation of my Generals for
my Behaviour. 1 ferved in all other Campaigns during my Youth,
and the Years of military fervice appointed by the Laws, ac-
cording to that regular Succeflion, by which our Citizens relieve
each other in the Courfe of a War. (55) In the Battle of
Mantinrea I behaved myfelf not diflionourably, nor in a Manner
unworthy of the Republic. I was a Soldier in the Eubacan Ex-
pedition, and in the Tamynean Engagement fo diftinguidied
G g 2 myfelf
(54) This Paflage, both with regard Diftance from Danger. From thence tlie
to the Difficulty, and the hiftorical im- Phrafe Iv toTi; f/ei^sTi militia in partibus. ,
portance of it, well deferves a larger or as . ^Elchines exprtfles ir, tjjV Iv rol'i
Explanation, than the Compafs of thefe ^^^^^^ KccX^yAvr^v ^dx^v, pugnam, qiur
Notes will allow. j? partibus duitur. The Years of mili-
The Athtnian Youth, at the Com- ^^^y ^^^,. ^5^^ ^^om the Age of' eighteen
pletion of their eighteenth Year, took to that of fixty wercnumbered by annual
the military Oath, and for two Years Magiilrates called Eponymi, from whence
were appointed to guard the Frontiers j-j^g Kxpreffion of fcrving in Eponymis,
of Attica. During this Time they were q^ Eponymiana militia. Corsini.
called tte^/tto) 0. , circuiores. They were ^,^) 'Y. y. tiixSc/ri',- Demoflhcnes ex-
afterwards enlilled among the regular plains this Fxprenion in the firft Phi-
Troops, but ftationed, in Time of Ac- lipp. c. Page 60 of the firft Volume,
lion, in fome Place of Safety, and at a ]_\p^Q r.
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?
228 ORATIONOF
myfelf even in a Body of Troops feledled from the reft of our
Army for their Courage, that I was crowned by our Generals in
the Field, and a fecond Time by the People, when I returned
to Athens. I made the Report of our Victory, and Temeni-
des, who commanded the Troops of the Pandionian Tribe,
and who came hither with me by Appointment of the General,
informed you in what Manner I had behaved myfelf in the
Battle. In Atteftation of thefe Fads, read the Decree, then
fummon Temenides and my Fellow-Soldiers, who joined with
me in fighting for the Republic. Summon Phocion, our Ge-
neral, not yet an Advocate in this Caufe, but liable to a Pro-
fecution, if he gives a falfe Evidence.
The Decree. The Testimony.
Since therefore I brought you the firft News of your Vidory,
and the happy Succefs of your Sons in Battle, let me implore
this firft Favour of you, the Prefervation of my Life; efpecially,
fince I am neither an Enemy to the popular Conftitution of my
Country, as my Accufer aflerts, but an Enemy to all bad Men,
nor would fuffer you to imitate the Anceftors of Demofthenes
(he has indeed no Anceftors) but would encourage you zealoufly
to emulate that Plan of Wifdom, which hath been glorious to
the Republic. I fhall now run over fome Inftanccs of this Wif-
dom, beginning with thofe of an earlier Date.
The Glory of the Athenian Republic arofe from the Sea-fight
at Salamis againft the Perfian, and although our Walls were
rafed
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? iE S C H I N E S. 229
rafed to the Ground by the Barbarians, yet as we were at Peace
with the Lacedaemonians our democratical Form of Govern-
ment ftill fubfifted. But when Tumults and Diflentions were
introduced amongft us by fome certain Perfons, we declared
War againft Lacedaemon, and after we had fuffered a thoufand
Calamities, and wrought as many to our Enemies, we con-
cluded a Truce of fifty Years under the Mediation of Cimon,
who had received all the public Rights of Holpitality among
the Lacedaemonians, and we enjoyed the good Effcds of it
thirteen Years. During this Time we fortified the Pyraeum,
raifed the northern Wall of the City, built an hundred Gallies
in addition to our Fleet, levied three hundred Horfe, took into
our Pay as many Scythian Archers, and ftill firmly maintained
our Democracy. But when Men, illiberally born, and licen-
tioufly profligate in their Morals, entered irregularly into the
Admin ift ration, we again declared War againft the i^ginctes,
and after having fuftained no inconfiderable Diftrefi^s, we Ib-
licited a Peace, and having fent Andocides with an Embafiy
to the Lacedaemonians, we concluded one for thirty Years,
which wonderfully exalted our Republic. For we carried a
thoufand Talents in Money into the Citadel, equipped another
hundred Gallies, eredled Arfenals, levied twelve hundred Horfe
and as many Archers, built the long northern Wall, nor did
any Man attempt to deftroy our democratical Conftitution.
Again we were perfuadedto declare War in Favour of the Mc-
gareans, and after having abandoned the Territories of Attica
to
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? 230 ORATION OF
to the Devaftations of the Enemy, and been defpoiled of many
valuable PoireHions, we fued for Peace, which was concluded
by Nicias. During this Time we carried into the Citadel feven
thoufand Talents, arifing from the Advantages of this Peace.
We now commanded not lefs than three hundred Gallies,
completely equipped ; our Revenues amounted annually to
more tlian twelve hundred Talents ; we held poflelTion of
Cherfonefus, Naxos, Euboea ; and fent abroad in this Period
many Colonies. PoffcfTed of fo many valuable Bleflings, we
were again hurried into a War againft the Lacedaemonians in
Favour of the Argives and by their Perfuafion, untill by the
Spirit of Contention among our Orators we were reduced to
receive a Garrifon into the City, and at firft four hundred, and
afterwards thirty impious Tyrants into the Government ; nei-
ther did we conclude a voluntary Peace, but were compelled
to accept one from our Conquerors. When we again grew
wifcr in our Adminiftration, and the People were returned from
their Exile in Phyle ; when Archinus and Thrafybulus flood
forth the Patrons of Liberty, and confirmed by an Oath a ge-
neral Amnefty, for which all Mankind agreed, that our
Republic had adled with the highefl Wifdom ; when the People
Vv^ere now infpircd with new Life, and refumed their ancient
Vigour, a Set of Men, fraudulently enrolled among our Citi-
zens, feduced the infirm and weaker Parts of the Republic to
their Fadion ; raifed War after War by their Errors in Politics ;
reprefented in their Speeches under the moft formidable Appear-
ances
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? iE S C H I N E S. 231
ances the Dangers, that threatened us during the Peace ; irri-
tated the Spirits of a People, fond of Glory, and apt to be
inflamed ; never in our Wars handled a Sword thcmfelves ;
were fevere Inquifitors into the Condudl of others ; prelided
over our naval Expeditions ; begot a fpurious Race of Children ;
rendered themfelves infamous by their Profecutions, and re-
duced the Republic even to the laiT: Danger. They fupported
the Name of a Democracy, not by their Manners, but by a
fervile Adulation to the People. They were Enemies to Peace,
by which a Democracy is preferved, and they united in the
Support of War, by which all democratical Governments are
ruined. Having now formed themfelves into one Body, they
advance hither againft me, and affirm that PhiUp purchafed
this Peace, and in the Articles of it poflefled himfclf of every
Advantage in it. Yet he himfelf hath violated this Peace,
thus greatly advantageous to him. (56) But they really do not
accufe me as an AmbaiTador, but as if I were a Surety for
Philip, and his Obfervance ot the Peace. Thus while I was
only Mafter of what was proper to be faid, they demand o?
me an Account of what was done, and although I am only a
tenth Ambaflador, yet I alone am obliged to give an Account
of my Embafly. But I have fliewn, that the very fame Man,
who
(^6) Our Critics treat this PalTage ridiculing the Abfurdity of his Adver-
with an Air of ironical Pleafantry, and faries. They have oljciled againft me,
then gravely propofe to alter the Text, that Philip hath gained every Advantage
jitij (rvfi(pe^iicrxv. Yet ^fchines himfelf ly this Peace, yet, Jirange indeed! be him-
betcer employs this ironical Pleafantry in Jelf hath violated this Peace.
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? 232 ORATIONOF
who now accufes me, formerly applauded me in his De-
crees. (57)
Now behold the Perfons, who come hither to join in their
Supplications to you for Mercy ; my Father, who implores you
not to deprive him of his Age's Hopes ; my Brothers, who
will not accept of Life, if divided from their Brother; my
Relations, thefe Infants too, though yet not fenlible of Danger,
but miferable indeed, if any Misfortune fliould happen to their
Father. For them I implore, for them I fupplicate your Care
and Protedtion. Do not deliver them to their Enemies ; to
this Wretch, who hath nothing of Man in his Compofltion,
with all the implacable Refentments of Woman. I here in-
voke the immortal Gods to preferve me, and make my next
Supplications to you, who are to pronounce the deciflve Sen*
tence in this Caufe, and before whom I have made my Defence,
as far as I have been able to remember, againft every fingle
Article of which I have been accufed. Let me implore your
Prote6lion. Do not deliver me into the Hands of this Scribler
of Declamations, this malignant Scythian. Whoever is a Fa-
ther among you, and loves his Sons ; whoever regards his
younger Brothers with Affedion, let him recoiled the ever-
memorable
(57) The learned Reader will forgive guage of the Paffions. Happy the Tranf-
the Tranfpafition of this Sentence. It lator, if he hath been able to preferve that
feemed neccflary to preferve that Method animated Diforder and Confiifion both of
and Connexion, which Reafoning and Sentiments and Expreffion, which we
Arguments demand. The Remainder feel lb powerfully in the Original.
of the Oration is in the Spirit and Lan-
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? ^ S C H I N IZ S. 233
memorable Caufe I maintained in Defence of Innocence and
Virtue by the Profecution of Timarchus. With regard to all
others in this Audience, if I have lived among you with no
unchearful Afperity of Manners (I am by Birth a Plebeian, and
in my Fortune, like you, of moderate Circumftanccs) in our
political Contells if I alone never joined in Factions againfi:
your Interefts, I now implore you to acquit me. I have a6lcd
in my Embafly with the utmoft Sincerity of Affe6lion to the
Republic, and alone fuftained the tumultuous Violence of Ca-
lumniators, which many, who have been glorioully diftinguiflied
by their Victories in War, have not been able to fuftain. Nei-
ther is Death itfelf terrible, but Ignominy, at our laft Moments,
is indeed terrible. How miferable is it to behold the Face of
an infulting Enemy, and to hear, with our Ears, his Re-
proaches ? This however muft be endured ; my Life too is in
Danger. I was educated among you ; in your Amufements,
Studies, Exercifes, I have lived ; no Man was ever injured in
his domeftic Happinefs by the Licentioufnefs of my Pleafures,
or driven from his Country by any Profecution of mine in our
Inquifitions into the Freedom of our Citizens, or in danger of
his Life, when obliged to render an Account of his Condud:
in Employment. Permit me to mention fome few other Cir-
cumftances, and I defcend. For I had it indeed in my Pow-
er, (58) O Men of Athens, not to betray your Interefts, but
not
(58) A remarkable Inftance of that laft Senteno^, as, if he were calmly cn-
pafTionate Diforder, mentioned in the tering into fome new Matter ? , but he
iaft Note. Our Orator appeared, by his Itarts away into his ufiial Invedives, and
Vol. II. H h begins
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? 234 O R A T I O N O F, &c.
not to be accufed was an A6t of Fortune, who hath allotted
for me to contend with a barbarian Calumniator, regardlefs of
the faCred Oblisations of Ambafladors to each other, their
Libations, and Entertainments. With Defign to terrify others,
who might hereafter contradict him, he comes forward againft
me with this Profecution and its Falfehoods. If however you
be willing to prefcrvc thofe, who contend for Peace and your
Security, the Republic lliall happily find numerous Defenders,
and ready with Chcarfulnefs to meet every Danger for her
Interefts.
Among our Citizens, moft eminent for their political Abi-
lities and their Virtue, I do implore Eubulus to be my Advo-
cate ; and Phocion, among all our Generals, moft diftinguifhed
at once for his Victories and his Integrity. Among my Ac-
quaintance, and the Companions of my Youth, I requeft the
fame Favour of Nauficles, and of all others, whofe Friendfhip
1 have enjoyed, and with whom I have purfued the fame ge-
neral Plan of Life. My Oration is now ended, and my Life
furrendered by me and by the Laws to your Determination.
begins his next Period, as if it were a have his Commentators taken Notice of
Conciufion drawn from ibmewhat he his Negled. One of his Editors very
had already faid. For, &c. '? yw y<<f, temperately begins a new Paragraph with
which Wolfius has not tranHated, nor thefe Words.
End of the OR ATI ON,
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? (5^)(S55(2J5D(5^POT(R)(R)i(2M^^
ORATION
OF
AE S C H I N E S
AGAINST
C TESIPHON.
(5KlD<^^)^J^D(! J^(S^! ^^i<i5^)a5^^(! J^^
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? w%^'pit'^^^^^*^'F''i^w'F^i^'! F^W
The ARGUMENT.
IT was cuflomary among the Athenians to rewai-d the Merit of their
Citizens with Crowns of Olive, interwoven with Gold. Ctefiphon
had propofed a Decree in the Senate, that Demofthenes fhould be crowned
in the Theatre for his diftinguiflied Virtue, and eminent Services to the
Republic. iEfchines profecutes Ctefiphon for this Decree. He attempts
to prove it illegal in itfelf, and in all its Circumftances. It ex-
pofes thofe Honours to Contempt, which were originally defigned to
animate and reward the Virtue of their Citizens. It deceives the People,
whom it is highly criminal to deceive, when it propofes to crown De-
mofthenes for his perfonal Merit, or his public Services to the Common-
wealth. For Demofthenes is infamous in his private Charafter, and in
his public Adminiftration the Diftionour and Ruin of his Country.
2S. ''''^^^^^^^^^^MI'! fr^^^^^^#''(^'f''! l^^i^**^*"''*^'i(^^^^^^'l(^'if*^*
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? ORA T
O
N
OF
iE S C H I N E S
AGAINST
CTESIPHO
N.
YOU certainly behold, Athenians, what Preparations are
formed; what Forces, drawn up in Order of Battle;
what earneft Solicitations are employed by certain Perfons in
this AfTembly, with Intention to deftroy the regular and cufto-
mary Proceedings of the Republic. As for myfelf, I appear
before you having placed my Confidence, firft, in the immortal
Gods ; next, in the Protection of the Laws and in your Inte-
grity; being fully perfuaded that no Fadlion can have an Influ-
ence over you more powerful, than our Laws and JufHce.
I COULD
Our Orator is by fome of his Critics
very rigoroufly condemned, and by others
very generoufly and zealoudy defended
with regard to this Exordium. He is
accufed of violating diat Temper and
Simplicity, generally acknowledged as
eflencial to the opening ot all Orations,
by a too vehement Pathetic, by figura-
tive Expreffions, and Images wholly lo-
reign to his Subjefl:. He is defended
by the Importance of a Trial, that miift
affetft his Liberty or Life ; by the Con-
fcioufnefs of his Innocence, and the juft
Indignation, with which it muft infpiie
him againft his Accul'er-, by the gieat
Example of Demofthenes, and ! iis more
vehement Exordium in the next Oration.
6
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? 238 ORATION OF ^SCHINES
- I COULD however vvifli, Athenians, that our Senate, and our
popular Aflcmblies, were regularly governed by their feveral
Prefidents ; that the Laws, which Solon enaded for the decent
Behaviour of our Orators, might recover their original Autho-
rity ; that a Privilege were granted, as the Laws ordain, to
the eldefl; Citizen, to advance with Modefly on the Tribunal^
and, without Confufion or Tumult, to propofe, according to
his Experience, fuch Counfel, as fhall be mofl falutary to the
Republic ; and that afterwards, whatever other Citizen thought
proper, might in his Rank of Seniority fuccefUvely declare his
Opinion upon every feparate Queftion in your Debates. Thus
alone, in my Judgement, fliall the Commonwealth be happily
governed, and thefe Impeachments become lefs frequent. But
lince thefe ancient Jnftitutions, univerfally acknowledged of
fuch Excellence, are at prefent abolifhed ; fince certain Perfons
wantonly propofe Opinions directly contrary to the Laws in
Being, and others, who never were regularly eledted to prefide
in the Senate, but had obtained their Seats by the Intereft of a
Faction, prefume to make fuch extraordinary Motions ; fince
every other Senator, although legally chofen to prefide, and with
Integrity declaring the Number of Votes in each Debate, is
threatened with Impeachments of high Treafon by a Party, who
prefume the Adminiftration is not oi common Right, but their
peculiar Prerogative; who have reduced our Plebeians to the
mofl: al)jc6l State of Slavery, and aflumed to themfelves an al-
moft arbitrary Power ; fince they have abfolutcly deftroyed the
legal
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? AGAINST CTESIPHON. 239
legal Forms of our judicial Proceedings, and by temporary De-
crees determine all Caufcs, as they ^rc aduatcd by their
Paflions, that excellent and wifeft Proclamation in the Republic
is no longer heard, " What Citizen above fifty Years of Age
" propofes to harangue the People, and afterwards what other
'' Athenian in his Degree of Seniority ? " Indeed, neither the
Laws, the Magiftrates, nor the ruling Tribe, are any longer
able to reprefs the indecent Licentioufnefs of our Orators.
-^SiNCE, therefore, fuch is our Situation; fuch the prefent Cir-
cumftances of the Republic, as you yourfelves muft perceive,
the only furviving Part of our Conftitution (if haply I pofiefs
any Degree of Knowledge) confifts in preferring Articles of Im-
peachment againfl: the Violators of our Laws. If you abolifb
this Cuftom, or fufler others to abolifh it, I venture to foretell,
you will imperceptibly by fuch Conceflions betray the Confti-
tution to this ambitious Fadliony For you perfectly well under-
fland, Athenians, there are only three Forms of Government
amongft Mankind ; Monarchy, Oligarchy, and Democracy.
Monarchies and Oligarchies are governed according to the ar-
bitrary Pleafure of their Rulers ; but democratical States by
fixed and eftablifhed Laws. Let not any therefore among you
be ignorant ; let them rather know with utmoft Certainty, that
whenever he enters upon the Judgement-Seat to give Sentence
on an Impeachment for propofing any Laws in Oppofition to
thoie already enaded, he fhall that very Day pronounce upon
his
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? 240 ORATION OF /E S C H I N E S -
his own proper Independence. For this Reafon, the Legiflator
placed this Article in the Beginning of tiie Judges Oath, I
WILL GIVE Sentence according to Law; being fully fen-
fible, that while the Laws are obferved with Reverence in any
Republic, fo long fliall a popular Government continue in
Safety. I While you recoUedl thefe Maxims, you ought to be-
hold with Deteftation and Abhorrence whoever propofes a
Decree fubverfive of your eflablifhed Laws, and not efteem a
Crime of this Nature trivial and inconfiderable, but in every
fingle Inftance moft atrocious. Of this your undoubted Right
let not any Man defpoil you ; neither the Patronage of your
Generals, who have long fince confpired with certain of your
Orators, and now ablblutely deftroy the Conftitution ; neither
the Supplications of Strangers, whom fome Perfons have intro-
duced into our Afiemblies, and by their Influence efcaped the
Punifhment due to their own illegal Adminiftration. But as
each of you would blufli to defert the Rank, in which he was
placed by his Commander in the Day of Battle, fo fhould you
blufh to defert that Station, in which you are this Day placed by
the Laws of your Country, the Guardians of her Liberty, (i)
? ^ You fhould alfo conftantly remember, that the whole Body
of your fellow-Citizens have this Day depolited in your Hands,
and
( I ) The Dignity and Beauty of this Jiis Audience, and at the fame Time a
Comparifon muft have been fenfibly felt fevere, though feemingly cafual, Reflex-
by a People, among whom every Citizen ion upon the Cowardice of Demofthenes
? was a Soldier.
? 2i8 O R A T I O N O F
of the thirty, and fhared in the Calamities of her Country. But
you, who contend for your being a Man (though I (hould hefi-
tate extremely to pronounce that you are really a Man) were
profecuted for deferting your Rank in the Day of Battle, and
efcaped only by buying off the Evidence of Nicodemus, whom
you afterwards murdered with the A fTiftance of Ariftarchus,,
and then rufhed into the Forum with your Hands ftained with
Blood.
My eldeft Brother, Philocrates, who does not, as you ca-
lumnioufly affirm, fpend his Time in unmanly amufements,
but in the generous Exercifes of the Gymnafium ; who was
Fellow-Soldier to Iphicrates, and three fucceffive Years a
General of your Forces, comes hither to implore your Com-
paffion to preferve me. My youngeft Brother Aphobetus
maintained, with a Dignity befitting the Republic, the Charac-
ter of your Ambaflador to the King of Perfia, and when you
appointed him in the Direction of the public Revenues, he
managed them with Honour and Integrity. His Children are
legitimately begotten, for he never proftituted his Wife to
Cnofion, as thou haft done. He now is prefent in Contempt
of your Invedives, for Invedlives, not founded upon Truth,
pafs no farther than the Ears.
But thou haft dared to fpeak againft my other Relations,
fhamelefs as thou art and ungrateful, not to love, not to adort
the
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? ^ S C H I N E S. 219
the Father of Pliilon and Epicrates by whom you were en-
rolled a Denizon of Athens, as the elder Citizens of the Pae-
anian Tribe are perfedlly confcious. Yet I am flruck with
Aftonifhment, that you dare to calumniate Philon in the Pre-
fence of thefe Athenians, who are eminently diftinguiflied
for their Love of Juftice, who have entered this Court with a
Refolution to pronounce fuch a Sentence, as may be of greatefl
Advantage to the RepubHc, and who pay more Attention to
the Lives of the Criminal and Profecutor, than to their Ora-
tions. Yet can you imagine, they would not rather choofe ten
thoufand Soldiers like Philon, thus fafhioned in their Perfons,
thus temperate in their Courage, than thrice ten thoufand prof-
tituted Wretches, like thee? Then you turn the well educated
Manners of Epicrates into Reproach ; and indeed who ever
faw him behave himfelf indecently either by Day, as you affirm,
in the Feftival of Bacchus, or by Night? You cannot affert,
he efcaped by his Obfcurity, for he was not unknown.
By Philodemus his Daughter, the Sifter of Philon and Epi-
crates, I have three Children j a Daughter and two Sons,
whom I bring hither with my other Relations, for the fake of
one Queftion, which I fhall now aflc, and for a particular
Argument with regard to my Judges. I afk, Athenians,' whe-
ther you think it probable, that befides my Duty to my
Country, the Commerce of my Friends, the Participation of
? our I'eHgious Rites, and the Sepulchres' of my Anceftors, I
F f a fhould
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? 220 ORATIONOF
fhould betray my Children, to me the deareft of all human
Beings, to Philip, or fliould rate his Friendfhip at an higher
Value, than their Safety. By what Pleafure have I ever been
enflaved? When did I ever do any thing unworthy of my
Reputation for the fake of Money ? Not Macedonia, but their
own natural Difpojfition, renders Men vitious or virtuous ; nor
are we different, when we return from an Embafly, from what
you fent us, but the very fame. But I have been joined in
Office with a Man, (46) eminently praftifed in all Impoftures, of
a malevolent Spirit, who never willingly fpoke Truth j who ufhers
in his Lies with an Oath, and an Eye of Impudence; who not
only aflerts his Fads, and the Manner in which they happened,
but mentions the very Day, and according to his Invention, in
Imitation of thofe who tell Truth, he adds the Name of fome
Perfon, who by chance was prefent.
However, we, who are innocent, are in one Inftance moft
fortunate, that with his extraordinary Genius for lying, he never
preferves his Senfes in the Compoiition of his Stories. You may
compute at once the Imprudence, and Ignorance of the Man,
who invented againfl me fuch an improbable Falfehood, as that of
the Olynthian Woman, in which he was interrupted by you,
when he was fpeaking, and driven out of the Aflembly; (47)
for
(46) It may be worth obferving, that irvfi7rt7rXey[/. ui, the Reading of our E-
Stephans reads a-v^TihiKoi^on inftead of ditions.
(47) Demofthenes Oration, Page 89.
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? ^ S C H I N E S. 221
for he accufed a Perfon moft diftant from fuch Turpitude before
thofe, who were confcious of the Purity of his Manners. But
confider how long he was preparing himfelf for this Calumny.
Ariftophanes, an Olynthian, generally refided here in AtJiens.
He was recommended by fome certain Perfons to Demofthcnes,
who was informed befides, that he was a very powerful Orator,
and who therefore endeavoured by every poflible Art to engage
him in his Interefts, and induce him to give a perjured Evi-
dence againft rae. He promifed, if he would form fome mife-
rable Story, and aflure you, that in a drunken Riot I had
infulted a Woman, who was his Relation, and a Captive, he
would inflantly give him five hundred Drachmas, and five
hundred others, when he had given Evidence of the Fadl. A-
riflophanes anfwered, as he himfelf aflured us, that v/ith regard
to his Banifhment and his Poverty, Demofthenes had not er-
roneoufly, but rather with all poflible Sagacity aimed his Con-
jedures; but that he erred extremely in his Opinion of his
Morals, for he never would commit fo infamous an Adion. la
Proof of what I have aflerted, I fhall produce Ariftophanes
himfelf, as a Witnefs. Let him be fummoned ; "let his Teftimony
be read; then fummon Dercyllus and Ariftides, who heard him
tell this Story, and informed me of it.
The Testimony,
You hear the Witnefies, and their Evidence, given upon
Oath; and do you not remember thofe unhallowed Arts of Ora-
tory,
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? 222 O R A T I O N O F
tory, which he boafted to our young Citizens (48) and which
he now employs againft me; how he wept, how he lamented
the Fate of Greece ; how excellively he applauded Satyrus the
Comedian, for having at a Banquet entreated PhiHp to give him
fome Perfons, with whom he had formerly lived in Hofpitality,
and who were then Prifoners and in Chains, digging in his
Vineyards ? Having laid this Foundation, he added, raifing that
flirill and direful Voice, how deplorable is it, that Satyrus the
Reprefentative of two inconfiderable Cities (49) fhould appear
with fuch Generofity and Magnanimity, and that I, who direded
the Counfels of a powerful Republic, who prefumed to give
Advice to the fupreme Aflembly of Arcadia, could not reftrain
the Licentioufnefs of my Manners, but heated with Wine, at
an Entertainment to which we were invited by Xenodocus, (50)
one of Philip's Friends, I dragged by the Hair, and fcourged
with my own Hands, a captive Woman ? If you had there-
fore either given Credit to him, or if Ariftophanes had joined
with him in vouching this Falfehood againft me, I might have
periflied unjuftly for a Crime of the moft exceflive Turpitude.
Will you then fufFer this Wretch, his own Evil Genius (for never
may
(48) To- inflame their Paffions and Xanthia. The Matter is not of Impor-
raife their Indignation againft his Adver- tance, yet much Diligence hath been ufed
fary. Dodlor Tayfor has with great to find the Hiftory or Situation of thefe
Learning given us many different Mean- Countries. Neither Wolfius nor his Com-
ings for the Word l-TrxyyiXXeTut. None mentators mention them in their Notes,
ofthem will explain the prefent Paffage, (50) By Demofthenes called Xeno-
and WolSus is fuffered to trapflate it P^ron, Page 89 ; for by a Miftake of
pollcetur. ' the Prefs it is there printed Xeno;phon,
(49) In the Original, Cariones and
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? iE S C H I N E S. 223
may he prove fuch to the Republic) to dwell any longer among
you? Will you purify this Aflembly, and in your Decrees
offer up your Vows through him ? Will you fend forth Armies,
and appoint naval Expeditions under his Name? Yet Hefiod
pronounces
For one Man's Crimes, on many a deftin'd State
Impetuous defcends the Wrath of Fate.
Let me add one Remark more to what I have already faid;
that if there be any Species of Villainy among Mankind in which
I cannot demonftrate, that Demofthenes is a principal Charader,
I fhall acknowledge, I ought to be capitally condemned.
But many fevere Diftrefles attend theaccufed. His Danger
calls back his Thoughts from every particular Relentment againft
others to the Confideration of his own proper Safety, and obliges
him to refleiSl:, left he {hould pafs over any Article of the Ac-
cufation. I fhall therefore endeavour to recall to your remem-
brance, and my own, the principal Articles of this Profecution;
then do you, Athenians, confider them feparately. For what
particular Decree, that I have prefcriled, am I now accufed?
What Conventions have I ever formed againft the interefts of
the Republic? When did I erale whatever you decreed con-
cerning this Peace, or infert what you difapproved? Did :h?
Peace difpleafe fome of our Orators? Should they not eitlier
have oppofed it then, or not accufe me now ? Some of them
during
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? 224 ORATIONOF
during the War grew rich by our Tributes, and the public Re-
venues. Thofe Methods of growing rich are now ceafed, for
Peace will not maintain Idlenefs. But fmce they, who
never were injured and yet are perpetually injuring the Repub-
lic, vvould now take vengeance of him, who fupported this
Peace, will you, who have experienced the Advantages of it,
defert the Perfons, who have rendered themfelves thus ufeful to
the Public?
But I fang Hyains in Honour of Apollo with Philip, while
the Cities of the Phocasans, as my Accufer afTerts, were lying
in Ruins. (51) And by what Argument can he clearly prove
the Truth of this Aflertion ? I was invited to the ufual Enter-
tainment of Hofpitality with my Colleagues. There were befides
invited, and who fupped with us and the other Grecian Ambafla-
dors, not lefs than two hundred Perfons. Among this Number, ^
for fo it appears, I was confpicuoufly diftinguifhed, not for my
Silence, but my finging, as you are affured by Demofthenes,
who was neither prelent himfelf, nor hath produced a iingle
Witnefs, who was prefent. But by what Means could I be thus
confpicuous, unlefs perchance, as in a Chorus, I fang before the
reft of the Company ? If I was filent therefore, you charge
me falfely; but when our Country was in perfe(ft Safety, and
our Citizens not opprefled by any general Misfortune, it I then
fang an Hymn in Honour of Apollo with the other Ambafla-
dors,
(5i)-Demofthenes Oration, Page 59,
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? iE S C H I N E S. 225
dors, and the Athenians were not difhonoured by it, I aded
with a pious Regard to Religion ; I committed no Crime, and
fhould now in Juftice be acquitted. Yet upon thefe Accounts,
I am it feems a Man unworthy of Compaflion, while you, who
proiecute your Colleagues, in Violation of the facred Duties
of our common Entertainments and Libations, are pious and
religious.
But you have reproached me with the Abfurdity of my po-
litical Conduct in going Ambaflador to Philip, when I had be-
fore encouraged the Grecians to take up Arms againft him.
However, you may make this Objedion, if you pleafe, to the
whole Athenian People in their public Counfels. You had
entered into War againft the Lacedsemonians, and after the un-
fortunate Battle of Leudlra you fent them Succours. You re-
ftored the exiled Thebans to their Country, and afterwards met
them in the Field at Mantinsea. You declared War againft the
Eretrians and Themifon ; you afterwards preferved them. With
regard to numberlefs other Grecian States you have adled in the
fame Manner. For it is neceflary, either for a private Perfon, or
a Republic, to yield to the Force of ConjuncSlurcs, and manage
them to the beft Advantage. How ftiould an able Senator a6t ?
Should he not upon any imminent Occafton confult the Interefts
of his Country ? The malevolent Profecutor, what Language
fhall hefpeak? Shall he not conceal particular Conjundlures,
and accufe particular Circumftances of Condudl? How fhall
Vol. IL G g we
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? 226 ORATIONOF
we diftlnguiili the Man, who is by Nature a Betrayer? Is he
not diftinguifhable by abufing, as you have done, the Confi-
dence of thofc, who employ him, by writing Declamations for
them to be pronounced in our Courts of Judicature, and after-
wards taking a Bribe to expofe them to their Adverfaries? (52}
Thus you got Money for writing a Declamation for Phormio the
Banker, and you gave a Copy of it to Apollodorus, who had
indidled Phormio for a capital Crime. You entered into the
happy Dwelling of Ariflarchus, which you laid in Ruins. You
took ihree Talents ftom Ariftarchus before his Banifhment, and
afterwards plundered him of the Pittance he had provided to
fupport him in his Exile. Nor did you blufh at the Report^
that you pretended to be an Admirer of the young Man's
Beauty. Your Admiration was indeed pretended, for real
Love never admits of Villainy. Such is the Betrayer, and fucK
as thefe the Marks of his Charader.
But he fome where nientioned my military Expeditions, and
called me a moft accomplifhed Soldier, {^t,) Yet not in regard
to his Calumny, but in Coniideration of my prefent Danger, I
may be permitted to vindicate my Reputation as a Soldier^
without being expofed to any invidious Refledlions. For where,
or
(? 52) The Alteration of a Comma in Noi writing for Birey but betraying for a-
Stephans upon the Word ln(pi^u gives Bribe.
this Sentence a Meaning very different (53) Demofthenes, Page 52, calls him.
from that of our Editions. It is followed a marvellous fVarrior, Bxvixda-ios s-^ccn^
by this Tranflation. xdyoui w, rcc Si- uttj;.
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? ^ S C H I N E S, 227
or when, or among whom, excepting this Day, fliall I ever
mention it? When I had pafled the Age of Boyhood, I was
two Years in Garrifon upon our Frontiers. I fhall produce the
young People of my own Rank, and who ferved in the fame
Station, as my Witnefles to the Fad:. In my firft Campaign I
was ftationed in that Body of Troops, which are refcrved at
Diftance from the Danger of Battle. (54) I marched under
the Command of Alcibiades with my Cotemporarics in the Ex-
pedition to Phlius, and in an Engagement at the Nemesan
Gulph I was honoured with the Approbation of my Generals for
my Behaviour. 1 ferved in all other Campaigns during my Youth,
and the Years of military fervice appointed by the Laws, ac-
cording to that regular Succeflion, by which our Citizens relieve
each other in the Courfe of a War. (55) In the Battle of
Mantinrea I behaved myfelf not diflionourably, nor in a Manner
unworthy of the Republic. I was a Soldier in the Eubacan Ex-
pedition, and in the Tamynean Engagement fo diftinguidied
G g 2 myfelf
(54) This Paflage, both with regard Diftance from Danger. From thence tlie
to the Difficulty, and the hiftorical im- Phrafe Iv toTi; f/ei^sTi militia in partibus. ,
portance of it, well deferves a larger or as . ^Elchines exprtfles ir, tjjV Iv rol'i
Explanation, than the Compafs of thefe ^^^^^^ KccX^yAvr^v ^dx^v, pugnam, qiur
Notes will allow. j? partibus duitur. The Years of mili-
The Athtnian Youth, at the Com- ^^^y ^^^,. ^5^^ ^^om the Age of' eighteen
pletion of their eighteenth Year, took to that of fixty wercnumbered by annual
the military Oath, and for two Years Magiilrates called Eponymi, from whence
were appointed to guard the Frontiers j-j^g Kxpreffion of fcrving in Eponymis,
of Attica. During this Time they were q^ Eponymiana militia. Corsini.
called tte^/tto) 0. , circuiores. They were ^,^) 'Y. y. tiixSc/ri',- Demoflhcnes ex-
afterwards enlilled among the regular plains this Fxprenion in the firft Phi-
Troops, but ftationed, in Time of Ac- lipp. c. Page 60 of the firft Volume,
lion, in fome Place of Safety, and at a ]_\p^Q r.
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?
228 ORATIONOF
myfelf even in a Body of Troops feledled from the reft of our
Army for their Courage, that I was crowned by our Generals in
the Field, and a fecond Time by the People, when I returned
to Athens. I made the Report of our Victory, and Temeni-
des, who commanded the Troops of the Pandionian Tribe,
and who came hither with me by Appointment of the General,
informed you in what Manner I had behaved myfelf in the
Battle. In Atteftation of thefe Fads, read the Decree, then
fummon Temenides and my Fellow-Soldiers, who joined with
me in fighting for the Republic. Summon Phocion, our Ge-
neral, not yet an Advocate in this Caufe, but liable to a Pro-
fecution, if he gives a falfe Evidence.
The Decree. The Testimony.
Since therefore I brought you the firft News of your Vidory,
and the happy Succefs of your Sons in Battle, let me implore
this firft Favour of you, the Prefervation of my Life; efpecially,
fince I am neither an Enemy to the popular Conftitution of my
Country, as my Accufer aflerts, but an Enemy to all bad Men,
nor would fuffer you to imitate the Anceftors of Demofthenes
(he has indeed no Anceftors) but would encourage you zealoufly
to emulate that Plan of Wifdom, which hath been glorious to
the Republic. I fhall now run over fome Inftanccs of this Wif-
dom, beginning with thofe of an earlier Date.
The Glory of the Athenian Republic arofe from the Sea-fight
at Salamis againft the Perfian, and although our Walls were
rafed
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? iE S C H I N E S. 229
rafed to the Ground by the Barbarians, yet as we were at Peace
with the Lacedaemonians our democratical Form of Govern-
ment ftill fubfifted. But when Tumults and Diflentions were
introduced amongft us by fome certain Perfons, we declared
War againft Lacedaemon, and after we had fuffered a thoufand
Calamities, and wrought as many to our Enemies, we con-
cluded a Truce of fifty Years under the Mediation of Cimon,
who had received all the public Rights of Holpitality among
the Lacedaemonians, and we enjoyed the good Effcds of it
thirteen Years. During this Time we fortified the Pyraeum,
raifed the northern Wall of the City, built an hundred Gallies
in addition to our Fleet, levied three hundred Horfe, took into
our Pay as many Scythian Archers, and ftill firmly maintained
our Democracy. But when Men, illiberally born, and licen-
tioufly profligate in their Morals, entered irregularly into the
Admin ift ration, we again declared War againft the i^ginctes,
and after having fuftained no inconfiderable Diftrefi^s, we Ib-
licited a Peace, and having fent Andocides with an Embafiy
to the Lacedaemonians, we concluded one for thirty Years,
which wonderfully exalted our Republic. For we carried a
thoufand Talents in Money into the Citadel, equipped another
hundred Gallies, eredled Arfenals, levied twelve hundred Horfe
and as many Archers, built the long northern Wall, nor did
any Man attempt to deftroy our democratical Conftitution.
Again we were perfuadedto declare War in Favour of the Mc-
gareans, and after having abandoned the Territories of Attica
to
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? 230 ORATION OF
to the Devaftations of the Enemy, and been defpoiled of many
valuable PoireHions, we fued for Peace, which was concluded
by Nicias. During this Time we carried into the Citadel feven
thoufand Talents, arifing from the Advantages of this Peace.
We now commanded not lefs than three hundred Gallies,
completely equipped ; our Revenues amounted annually to
more tlian twelve hundred Talents ; we held poflelTion of
Cherfonefus, Naxos, Euboea ; and fent abroad in this Period
many Colonies. PoffcfTed of fo many valuable Bleflings, we
were again hurried into a War againft the Lacedaemonians in
Favour of the Argives and by their Perfuafion, untill by the
Spirit of Contention among our Orators we were reduced to
receive a Garrifon into the City, and at firft four hundred, and
afterwards thirty impious Tyrants into the Government ; nei-
ther did we conclude a voluntary Peace, but were compelled
to accept one from our Conquerors. When we again grew
wifcr in our Adminiftration, and the People were returned from
their Exile in Phyle ; when Archinus and Thrafybulus flood
forth the Patrons of Liberty, and confirmed by an Oath a ge-
neral Amnefty, for which all Mankind agreed, that our
Republic had adled with the highefl Wifdom ; when the People
Vv^ere now infpircd with new Life, and refumed their ancient
Vigour, a Set of Men, fraudulently enrolled among our Citi-
zens, feduced the infirm and weaker Parts of the Republic to
their Fadion ; raifed War after War by their Errors in Politics ;
reprefented in their Speeches under the moft formidable Appear-
ances
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? iE S C H I N E S. 231
ances the Dangers, that threatened us during the Peace ; irri-
tated the Spirits of a People, fond of Glory, and apt to be
inflamed ; never in our Wars handled a Sword thcmfelves ;
were fevere Inquifitors into the Condudl of others ; prelided
over our naval Expeditions ; begot a fpurious Race of Children ;
rendered themfelves infamous by their Profecutions, and re-
duced the Republic even to the laiT: Danger. They fupported
the Name of a Democracy, not by their Manners, but by a
fervile Adulation to the People. They were Enemies to Peace,
by which a Democracy is preferved, and they united in the
Support of War, by which all democratical Governments are
ruined. Having now formed themfelves into one Body, they
advance hither againft me, and affirm that PhiUp purchafed
this Peace, and in the Articles of it poflefled himfclf of every
Advantage in it. Yet he himfelf hath violated this Peace,
thus greatly advantageous to him. (56) But they really do not
accufe me as an AmbaiTador, but as if I were a Surety for
Philip, and his Obfervance ot the Peace. Thus while I was
only Mafter of what was proper to be faid, they demand o?
me an Account of what was done, and although I am only a
tenth Ambaflador, yet I alone am obliged to give an Account
of my Embafly. But I have fliewn, that the very fame Man,
who
(^6) Our Critics treat this PalTage ridiculing the Abfurdity of his Adver-
with an Air of ironical Pleafantry, and faries. They have oljciled againft me,
then gravely propofe to alter the Text, that Philip hath gained every Advantage
jitij (rvfi(pe^iicrxv. Yet ^fchines himfelf ly this Peace, yet, Jirange indeed! be him-
betcer employs this ironical Pleafantry in Jelf hath violated this Peace.
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? 232 ORATIONOF
who now accufes me, formerly applauded me in his De-
crees. (57)
Now behold the Perfons, who come hither to join in their
Supplications to you for Mercy ; my Father, who implores you
not to deprive him of his Age's Hopes ; my Brothers, who
will not accept of Life, if divided from their Brother; my
Relations, thefe Infants too, though yet not fenlible of Danger,
but miferable indeed, if any Misfortune fliould happen to their
Father. For them I implore, for them I fupplicate your Care
and Protedtion. Do not deliver them to their Enemies ; to
this Wretch, who hath nothing of Man in his Compofltion,
with all the implacable Refentments of Woman. I here in-
voke the immortal Gods to preferve me, and make my next
Supplications to you, who are to pronounce the deciflve Sen*
tence in this Caufe, and before whom I have made my Defence,
as far as I have been able to remember, againft every fingle
Article of which I have been accufed. Let me implore your
Prote6lion. Do not deliver me into the Hands of this Scribler
of Declamations, this malignant Scythian. Whoever is a Fa-
ther among you, and loves his Sons ; whoever regards his
younger Brothers with Affedion, let him recoiled the ever-
memorable
(57) The learned Reader will forgive guage of the Paffions. Happy the Tranf-
the Tranfpafition of this Sentence. It lator, if he hath been able to preferve that
feemed neccflary to preferve that Method animated Diforder and Confiifion both of
and Connexion, which Reafoning and Sentiments and Expreffion, which we
Arguments demand. The Remainder feel lb powerfully in the Original.
of the Oration is in the Spirit and Lan-
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? ^ S C H I N IZ S. 233
memorable Caufe I maintained in Defence of Innocence and
Virtue by the Profecution of Timarchus. With regard to all
others in this Audience, if I have lived among you with no
unchearful Afperity of Manners (I am by Birth a Plebeian, and
in my Fortune, like you, of moderate Circumftanccs) in our
political Contells if I alone never joined in Factions againfi:
your Interefts, I now implore you to acquit me. I have a6lcd
in my Embafly with the utmoft Sincerity of Affe6lion to the
Republic, and alone fuftained the tumultuous Violence of Ca-
lumniators, which many, who have been glorioully diftinguiflied
by their Victories in War, have not been able to fuftain. Nei-
ther is Death itfelf terrible, but Ignominy, at our laft Moments,
is indeed terrible. How miferable is it to behold the Face of
an infulting Enemy, and to hear, with our Ears, his Re-
proaches ? This however muft be endured ; my Life too is in
Danger. I was educated among you ; in your Amufements,
Studies, Exercifes, I have lived ; no Man was ever injured in
his domeftic Happinefs by the Licentioufnefs of my Pleafures,
or driven from his Country by any Profecution of mine in our
Inquifitions into the Freedom of our Citizens, or in danger of
his Life, when obliged to render an Account of his Condud:
in Employment. Permit me to mention fome few other Cir-
cumftances, and I defcend. For I had it indeed in my Pow-
er, (58) O Men of Athens, not to betray your Interefts, but
not
(58) A remarkable Inftance of that laft Senteno^, as, if he were calmly cn-
pafTionate Diforder, mentioned in the tering into fome new Matter ? , but he
iaft Note. Our Orator appeared, by his Itarts away into his ufiial Invedives, and
Vol. II. H h begins
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? 234 O R A T I O N O F, &c.
not to be accufed was an A6t of Fortune, who hath allotted
for me to contend with a barbarian Calumniator, regardlefs of
the faCred Oblisations of Ambafladors to each other, their
Libations, and Entertainments. With Defign to terrify others,
who might hereafter contradict him, he comes forward againft
me with this Profecution and its Falfehoods. If however you
be willing to prefcrvc thofe, who contend for Peace and your
Security, the Republic lliall happily find numerous Defenders,
and ready with Chcarfulnefs to meet every Danger for her
Interefts.
Among our Citizens, moft eminent for their political Abi-
lities and their Virtue, I do implore Eubulus to be my Advo-
cate ; and Phocion, among all our Generals, moft diftinguifhed
at once for his Victories and his Integrity. Among my Ac-
quaintance, and the Companions of my Youth, I requeft the
fame Favour of Nauficles, and of all others, whofe Friendfhip
1 have enjoyed, and with whom I have purfued the fame ge-
neral Plan of Life. My Oration is now ended, and my Life
furrendered by me and by the Laws to your Determination.
begins his next Period, as if it were a have his Commentators taken Notice of
Conciufion drawn from ibmewhat he his Negled. One of his Editors very
had already faid. For, &c. '? yw y<<f, temperately begins a new Paragraph with
which Wolfius has not tranHated, nor thefe Words.
End of the OR ATI ON,
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? (5^)(S55(2J5D(5^POT(R)(R)i(2M^^
ORATION
OF
AE S C H I N E S
AGAINST
C TESIPHON.
(5KlD<^^)^J^D(! J^(S^! ^^i<i5^)a5^^(! J^^
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? w%^'pit'^^^^^*^'F''i^w'F^i^'! F^W
The ARGUMENT.
IT was cuflomary among the Athenians to rewai-d the Merit of their
Citizens with Crowns of Olive, interwoven with Gold. Ctefiphon
had propofed a Decree in the Senate, that Demofthenes fhould be crowned
in the Theatre for his diftinguiflied Virtue, and eminent Services to the
Republic. iEfchines profecutes Ctefiphon for this Decree. He attempts
to prove it illegal in itfelf, and in all its Circumftances. It ex-
pofes thofe Honours to Contempt, which were originally defigned to
animate and reward the Virtue of their Citizens. It deceives the People,
whom it is highly criminal to deceive, when it propofes to crown De-
mofthenes for his perfonal Merit, or his public Services to the Common-
wealth. For Demofthenes is infamous in his private Charafter, and in
his public Adminiftration the Diftionour and Ruin of his Country.
2S. ''''^^^^^^^^^^MI'! fr^^^^^^#''(^'f''! l^^i^**^*"''*^'i(^^^^^^'l(^'if*^*
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? ORA T
O
N
OF
iE S C H I N E S
AGAINST
CTESIPHO
N.
YOU certainly behold, Athenians, what Preparations are
formed; what Forces, drawn up in Order of Battle;
what earneft Solicitations are employed by certain Perfons in
this AfTembly, with Intention to deftroy the regular and cufto-
mary Proceedings of the Republic. As for myfelf, I appear
before you having placed my Confidence, firft, in the immortal
Gods ; next, in the Protection of the Laws and in your Inte-
grity; being fully perfuaded that no Fadlion can have an Influ-
ence over you more powerful, than our Laws and JufHce.
I COULD
Our Orator is by fome of his Critics
very rigoroufly condemned, and by others
very generoufly and zealoudy defended
with regard to this Exordium. He is
accufed of violating diat Temper and
Simplicity, generally acknowledged as
eflencial to the opening ot all Orations,
by a too vehement Pathetic, by figura-
tive Expreffions, and Images wholly lo-
reign to his Subjefl:. He is defended
by the Importance of a Trial, that miift
affetft his Liberty or Life ; by the Con-
fcioufnefs of his Innocence, and the juft
Indignation, with which it muft infpiie
him againft his Accul'er-, by the gieat
Example of Demofthenes, and ! iis more
vehement Exordium in the next Oration.
6
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? 238 ORATION OF ^SCHINES
- I COULD however vvifli, Athenians, that our Senate, and our
popular Aflcmblies, were regularly governed by their feveral
Prefidents ; that the Laws, which Solon enaded for the decent
Behaviour of our Orators, might recover their original Autho-
rity ; that a Privilege were granted, as the Laws ordain, to
the eldefl; Citizen, to advance with Modefly on the Tribunal^
and, without Confufion or Tumult, to propofe, according to
his Experience, fuch Counfel, as fhall be mofl falutary to the
Republic ; and that afterwards, whatever other Citizen thought
proper, might in his Rank of Seniority fuccefUvely declare his
Opinion upon every feparate Queftion in your Debates. Thus
alone, in my Judgement, fliall the Commonwealth be happily
governed, and thefe Impeachments become lefs frequent. But
lince thefe ancient Jnftitutions, univerfally acknowledged of
fuch Excellence, are at prefent abolifhed ; fince certain Perfons
wantonly propofe Opinions directly contrary to the Laws in
Being, and others, who never were regularly eledted to prefide
in the Senate, but had obtained their Seats by the Intereft of a
Faction, prefume to make fuch extraordinary Motions ; fince
every other Senator, although legally chofen to prefide, and with
Integrity declaring the Number of Votes in each Debate, is
threatened with Impeachments of high Treafon by a Party, who
prefume the Adminiftration is not oi common Right, but their
peculiar Prerogative; who have reduced our Plebeians to the
mofl: al)jc6l State of Slavery, and aflumed to themfelves an al-
moft arbitrary Power ; fince they have abfolutcly deftroyed the
legal
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? AGAINST CTESIPHON. 239
legal Forms of our judicial Proceedings, and by temporary De-
crees determine all Caufcs, as they ^rc aduatcd by their
Paflions, that excellent and wifeft Proclamation in the Republic
is no longer heard, " What Citizen above fifty Years of Age
" propofes to harangue the People, and afterwards what other
'' Athenian in his Degree of Seniority ? " Indeed, neither the
Laws, the Magiftrates, nor the ruling Tribe, are any longer
able to reprefs the indecent Licentioufnefs of our Orators.
-^SiNCE, therefore, fuch is our Situation; fuch the prefent Cir-
cumftances of the Republic, as you yourfelves muft perceive,
the only furviving Part of our Conftitution (if haply I pofiefs
any Degree of Knowledge) confifts in preferring Articles of Im-
peachment againfl: the Violators of our Laws. If you abolifb
this Cuftom, or fufler others to abolifh it, I venture to foretell,
you will imperceptibly by fuch Conceflions betray the Confti-
tution to this ambitious Fadliony For you perfectly well under-
fland, Athenians, there are only three Forms of Government
amongft Mankind ; Monarchy, Oligarchy, and Democracy.
Monarchies and Oligarchies are governed according to the ar-
bitrary Pleafure of their Rulers ; but democratical States by
fixed and eftablifhed Laws. Let not any therefore among you
be ignorant ; let them rather know with utmoft Certainty, that
whenever he enters upon the Judgement-Seat to give Sentence
on an Impeachment for propofing any Laws in Oppofition to
thoie already enaded, he fhall that very Day pronounce upon
his
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? 240 ORATION OF /E S C H I N E S -
his own proper Independence. For this Reafon, the Legiflator
placed this Article in the Beginning of tiie Judges Oath, I
WILL GIVE Sentence according to Law; being fully fen-
fible, that while the Laws are obferved with Reverence in any
Republic, fo long fliall a popular Government continue in
Safety. I While you recoUedl thefe Maxims, you ought to be-
hold with Deteftation and Abhorrence whoever propofes a
Decree fubverfive of your eflablifhed Laws, and not efteem a
Crime of this Nature trivial and inconfiderable, but in every
fingle Inftance moft atrocious. Of this your undoubted Right
let not any Man defpoil you ; neither the Patronage of your
Generals, who have long fince confpired with certain of your
Orators, and now ablblutely deftroy the Conftitution ; neither
the Supplications of Strangers, whom fome Perfons have intro-
duced into our Afiemblies, and by their Influence efcaped the
Punifhment due to their own illegal Adminiftration. But as
each of you would blufli to defert the Rank, in which he was
placed by his Commander in the Day of Battle, fo fhould you
blufh to defert that Station, in which you are this Day placed by
the Laws of your Country, the Guardians of her Liberty, (i)
? ^ You fhould alfo conftantly remember, that the whole Body
of your fellow-Citizens have this Day depolited in your Hands,
and
( I ) The Dignity and Beauty of this Jiis Audience, and at the fame Time a
Comparifon muft have been fenfibly felt fevere, though feemingly cafual, Reflex-
by a People, among whom every Citizen ion upon the Cowardice of Demofthenes
? was a Soldier.
