1. I presume, gentlemen of the jury, that you need to hear no reason from
those who wish to prosecute Alcibiades, for from the start he so
conducted himself in the public that it is every one's duty, even if he
happen not to be privately injured by him, to consider him an enemy from
his other actions. 2. For his sins were not trivial, nor do they deserve
pardon, nor offer any hope of his becoming better in future, but his
deeds have come to such a pitch of evil, his enemies are ashamed of those
deeds in which he glories. As for a long time, ever since a dispute arose
between our fathers, I have considered him my enemy, and now again since
he has treated me wrongly, I, gentlemen of the jury, will try to punish
him by your aid for all which he has done. 3. Archestratides has
arraigned him sufficiently about other matters, for he declared the laws
and brought evidence; but what he omitted, I will go over point by point
with you.
4. Now it is reasonable, gentlemen of the jury, for those who serve as
jurors in regard to these subjects for the first time since we made peace
to be not only jurors but lawgivers, knowing well that, as you decide
about these matters now, the city will manage in future. And it seems to
me to be the part of a good citizen and impartial juror to define the
laws as is most likely to benefit the state in future. 5. For some go so
far as to say that no one is liable (to a charge) of desertion or
cowardice; for there has been no battle and the law bids the soldiers to
try "_any one who goes to the rear through cowardice while the others
are fighting_." And the law does not provide for this case alone, but
"_whoever is not in the ranks_." Now read the law.