42. Surely one would have thought, before both cases were shown, that the
property of Nicophemus was a small fraction of that of Conon.
Aristophanes purchased land and a house for more than five talents,
supplied choruses for himself and his father for five thousand drachmae,
and spent eighty minae as Trierarch. 43. And in taxes he contributed for
both no less than forty minae, and for the expedition to Sicily he spent
a hundred minae. For sending the triremes when the Cyprians came and you
gave them ten ships, for pay for the mercenaries and the purchase of
arms, he furnished thirty thousand drachmae. The amount of this is a
little less than fifteen talents. 44. So you do not charge me with
reason, since the property of Aristophanes appears to be more than a
third part of that of Conon, which is agreed was rightly reported by
himself, though appearing to be much greater. And I do not reckon what
Nicophemus had in Cyprus, where were his wife and daughter.
45. I do not believe, gentlemen of the jury, that you will ruin me after
my producing such conclusive evidence. For I have heard from my father
and other older men that both now and formerly you have been mistaken
about the property of many men, and that many while living seem to be
wealthy, and after death they turned out very different from what you
supposed. 46. For example, every one supposed Ischomachus as long as he
lived was worth more than seventy talents, as I hear; but each of his two
sons had less than ten at his death. Stephanus, son of Thallus, was said
to be worth more than fifty talents, but his property after his death
proved to be about eleven talents. 47. The estate of Nicias was expected
to be worth not less than a hundred talents, and much of it in ready
money; but when Niceratus was dying, he said himself he was not leaving
any gold or silver, and the house which he left to his son was not worth
more than fourteen talents. 48. Again Callias, son of Hipponicus, at the
recent death of his father seemed to have inherited more than any other
Greek, but as he says, his grandfather valued (the property) at two
hundred talents. His rateable property is really not worth two talents.
You all know Cleophon, that for many years he managed all the finances of
the state and was supposed to have much from the government; but at his
death there was no money, and the relatives and connections whom he left
were confessedly poor men. 49. So we are evidently much deceived in
regard to men of hereditary wealth and those who have recently become
noted. And I think the reason is that one dares to say without sufficient
grounds that so-and-so has many talents from the government. And I do not
wonder at what they say about the dead (for they cannot be confuted by
them), but at their attempt to deceive during their life. 50. For you
yourselves lately heard in the assembly that Diotimus had forty talents
more than he acknowledged from the ship captains and merchants; and no
one tested him when he came bringing his accounts and feeling bad that he
had been slandered in his absence, that too when the state was in need of
money and he wished to give a statement. 51. Think now what would happen
if after all Athens had heard that Diotimus had forty talents, he had met
his fate before sailing home. Then his relatives would have been in
greatest danger, if they had had to defend themselves against such a
charge, not knowing any of the facts. These are responsible for your
being mistaken about many, and unjustly ruining some, (these men) who
rashly venture to speak falsely and wish to bring charges against others.
52. Then I suppose you know that Alcibiades was Strategus for four or
five years, having prevailed over and conquered the Spartans, and the
cities thought best to give him twice as much as to any other general, so
that some thought he owned more than a hundred talents. But at his death
he showed it was not the case, for he left a smaller estate to his
children than he had received from his guardians.
53. That such things formerly happened is readily seen; and they say the
noblest and wisest are especially willing to change their opinions. If
then I seem to speak to the point, and bring sufficient testimony,
gentlemen of the jury, in every way favor me, as, although the accusation
is so great, I believe I shall win with truth on my side; and if there is
no way in which you are willing to be persuaded, there seems to be no
hope for me. 54. But by the Olympian gods, gentlemen of the jury, be
willing to save me with justice (on my side), rather than ruin me
unjustly; and believe they speak the truth, who even in silence during
their lives conduct themselves wisely and justly.
55. So in regard to the writ itself and how they became my connections
and that his property was not enough for the voyage, but that he borrowed
elsewhere, you have heard and testimony has been given you; but I wish to
say a few words about myself. For I at thirty years of age never spoke
wrongly to my father, nor has a citizen ever brought a charge against me,
and though living near the market-place I was never seen in the court or
assembly before this befell me. 56. So much I can say of myself, but of
my father, since the charge has been made as if he were at fault, have
patience if I declare what he spent for the state and his friends. And
(it is not) in a spirit of boasting, but to prove that it is inconsistent
with the character of a man to spend much unnecessarily and to wish to
keep common property at greatest risk. 57. There are some who spend not
only for this, but that they may gain twice as much if they are thought
by you worthy to rule. My father never wished to be a leader, but he
supplied all choruses, and was Trierarch seven times, and made many large
contributions. That you may know this, each point will be read you.