28
It is not as if I were prescribing one line of conduct for you having followed another in my own public life. I myself never in my life prosecuted any private citizen, and there are some whom before now I have done my best to help. What men, then, have I prosecuted and brought to trial? Aristophon of Hazenia,Of the three orators here mentioned Aristophon was prosecuted by Hyperides in 362 B.C., Diopithes at an unknown date, and Philocrates in 343. See further, notes on Hyp. Fr. 17,Hyp. Fr. 15, and Hyp. Fr. 16. now a most influential person in public life—he was acquitted in this court by two votes only;
29
Diopithes of Sphettus, thought to be the most formidable man in the city; Philocrates of Hagnus, whose political career has been marked by the utmost daring and wantonness. I prosecuted that man for his services to Philip against Athens and secured his conviction in court. The impeachment which I drew up was just and in accordance with the law, referring to him as an orator giving counsel against the best interests of the people and receiving money and gifts from those working against them.
30
Even so I was not satisfied to bring in the impeachment before I had added underneath: These proposals he made against the best interests of the people, because he had taken bribes. And I wrote his decree underneath. And again I added: These further proposals he made against the best interests of the people, because he had taken bribes. And I wrote the decree alongside. Indeed this statement is written down five or six times in my speech; for I thought that I must make the trial and the prosecution just. But you could not include in your impeachment the things which you allege Euxenippus to have said against the best interests of the people. Yet, though he is a private citizen, by your mode of prosecution you class him as an orator.
