43. So these men were informed against and put to death by Agoratus. When
the Thirty had removed these I think you know many misfortunes befell the
state. This man is responsible for all of this, as he put them to death.
It grieves me to be recalling the misfortunes which happened to the
state; (44) but it is necessary, gentlemen of the jury, for you to know
how much you are to pity Agoratus in this matter. For you know what sort
of men and how many there were of the citizens who were carried away from
Salamis, and what fate they met at the hands of the Thirty, and how many
of those from Eleusis experienced this misfortune; and you remember those
here who were led off to prison on account of private enmities. 45. They,
having injured the city in no way, were forced to die a most shameful and
inglorious death, some leaving aged parents who had hoped to be supported
in their old age by their sons, and at their death to be buried by them;
some leaving unmarried sisters, some little children needing their care.
46. What opinion, gentlemen of the jury, do you think they who were
deprived of their dear ones by this man would have of him? Or what vote
do you think they would cast were it in their power? And yet (you are
aware) that the walls were torn down and the ships given over to the
enemy and the shipyards destroyed, and the Spartans held your Acropolis,
and the whole power of the city was undermined so that the city was in no
way different from the smallest town. 47. Besides this you lost your
private property and finally were driven in a body by the Thirty from
your country. Those who were good men, gentlemen of the jury, having
learned this, said they would not allow peace to be made. 48. Those men,
Agoratus, wishing to do some good to the city, you put to death, on the
ground that they were plotting against the city and you are responsible
for all the misfortunes which befell the city. So now, each one,
remembering not only his own misfortunes, but also those common to the
whole city, should revenge himself on the cause of these evils.
49. I wonder, gentlemen of the jury, what he will dare urge in defense.
For he must show that he did not give convicting testimony against these
men and that he is not responsible for their death, which he will never
be able to do. 50. For in the first place the votes of the senate and
assembly testify against him, clearly showing about what Agoratus made
the accusations. Then the sentence which was passed on him by the Thirty
and revoked again clearly shows, this, "since," it runs, "he seems to
have spoken the truth." Now read it to me.