26
And then having persuaded my slaves to sit in the foundryThe precise meaning of κεγχρεών cannot be determined. It seems to have denoted either the pit into which the silver was run when melted, or the furnace in which it was refined. to my prejudice.
27
This is out-and-out impudence. Not only from my challenging him to give up these slaves for torture and from his refusing to do so, but from every circumstance of the case its falsehood is manifest. Why, pray, should I have induced them to do this? That, forsooth, I might get possession of them. But when the option was given me either to keep the property or to recover my money, I chose to recover my money; and of this you have heard the evidence.
27
Nevertheless, read the challenge.
27
The Challenge
28
Although he did not accept the challenge, but declined it, see what a charge he makes immediately thereafter.Read what comes next.
28
The Complaint
28
And having reduced the silver-ore which my slaves had dug, and keeping the silver smelted from that ore.
28
Again, how could this have been done by me when I was not here?—things, too, for which you won a judgement against Evergus?
29
Read the further charges.
29
The Complaint
29
And having sold my mining property and the slaves, contrary to the agreement which he had made with me.
29
Stop reading. This far outdoes all the rest. For in the first place he says, contrary to the agreement which he had made with me. What agreement is this? We leased our own property to this man, at a rent equal to the interest on the loan; that was all. It was Mnesicles who sold it to us, in the presence of the plaintiff and at his request.
30
Afterwards in the same way we sold the property to others on the same terms upon which we had ourselves bought it, and the plaintiff not only urged but actually implored us to do so; for no one was willing to accept him as the vendor. What, then, does the agreement to lease it have to do with the matter? Why, most worthless of men, did you insert that clause?
