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sent by Demosthenes,Sauppe suspected that the man here referred to was Aristion of Samos, a friend of Demosthenes who, according to >Harpocration (s. v. Ἀριστίων), was mentioned in this speech and was sent by Demosthenes to Hephaestion in order to reach an understanding with him. For Callias and Taurosthenes of Chalcis compare Din. 1.44 and note. and with Olympias Callias the Chalcidian, the brother of Taurosthenes. For these men were made Athenian citizens on the motion of Demosthenes and they are his special agents. Naturally enough; for being perpetually unstable himself, I suppose he might well have friends from the Euripus.A comparison between the Euripus, a very changeable strait, and the character of Callias is made also by Aeschin. 3.90. Will you dare then presently to speak to me of friendship you yourself broke up that friendship when you accepted bribes against your country and made a change of front. You made yourself a laughing stock and brought disgrace on those who had ever shared your policy in former years. When we might have gained the highest distinction in public life and been accompanied for the remainder of our lives by the best of reputations, you frustrated all these hopes, and you are not ashamed, even at your age,Demosthenes was just over sixty. to be tried by youths for bribery. And yet the positions ought to be reversed: your generation ought to be training the younger orators, reproving and punishing any over-impetuous action. But the fact is just the opposite: the youths are taking to task the men of over sixty. Therefore, gentlemen of the jury, you have a right to feel resentful towards Demosthenes; for after gaining a tolerable reputation and great riches, all through you, even on the threshold of old age he has no loyalty to his country. But you used to be ashamed the Greeks who were standing round, when you passed sentence on certain persons, to think that such popular leaders and generals and guardians of your affairs The sense of this passage is probably: Since you condemned such generals as Timotheus, though you shrank from doing so, you should not hesitate to condemn Demosthenes. Compare Din. 1.16.