1. Many have come to me, gentlemen of the jury, expressing surprise that
I have entered an accusation in the Boule against the corn dealers, and
saying that you, even if you think them ever so guilty, nevertheless
think that those who bring charges against them are doing so from
personal interest. Accordingly I first wish to show you why I was
compelled to accuse them.
2. When the Prytanes reported them to the Boule, feeling ran so high that
some of the speakers said that without a trial they should be handed to
the Eleven to be put to death. But I, thinking that it would be a
terrible precedent for the Boule to do this, rose and said that it seemed
best to me to try the dealers by law, as I thought that if they had
committed a capital crime you no less than we would know what was just,
but if they were doing nothing wrong they need not die without a trial.
3. When the Boule had agreed to this, some tried to slander me, saying I
made these speeches for the safety of the dealers. Before the Boule,
since the preliminary trial was before them, I made a practical defense.
For while the rest were sitting still, I got up and accused them, making
it clear to all that I was not speaking in their behalf, but upholding
the established laws. 4. I took up the matter on account of this, fearing
the charges. And I think it base to stop until you have voted what you
wish.
5. First stand up and tell me whether you are a metic? Yes. Are you a
metic on condition of obeying the laws of the city or doing what you
please? On condition of obeying. Do you expect to escape death if you
transgress the laws of which the penalty is death? I do not. Tell me then
whether you confess that you bought more than the fifty measures of corn
which the law allows. I bought it, advised to do so by the officers.
6. If he can show, gentlemen of the jury, that there is a law which
permits dealers to buy corn when ordered to do so by the officers, acquit
them. If not, it is just to condemn them. For we showed you the law which
forbids any one in the city buying more than fifty measures of corn.
7. This, gentlemen of the jury, ought to end the accusation, since he
admits that he bought corn and the law plainly forbids it, and you have
sworn to give judgment according to law. But that you may be convinced
that they are wrong about the officers I must say something further about
them. 8. Since they made the charges against them let us call the
officers and question them. Four of them say they know nothing about the
matter. Anytus says that last winter when corn was high and the dealers
were outbidding and fighting against one another, he counseled them to
stop quarreling, thinking it was advantageous to you who buy from these
that they should previously buy it as cheap as possible. For they must
sell it not more than an obol dearer. 9. That he did not order them to
buy the corn and store it up, but advised them not to fight with each
other, I will Anytus as witness, and also that he said these words last
year and they have been proved guilty of engrossing corn this year.