28
However, suppose one should ask this Boeotus the following questions: When you thought it right to join the chorus in the tribe Hippothontis before you claimed to be the son of my father, what name would you have set down as rightly belonging to you? For if you should say, Mantitheus, you could not do so on the plea that you are older than I, for since at that time you did not suppose you had any connection even with my tribe, how could you claim to be related to my grandfather?
29
Besides, men of Athens, not one of you knows the number of the years, for I shall say that I am the elder, and he will say that he is, but you all understand the just way of reckoning. And what is this? That these men should be considered children of my father from the date when he adopted them. Well then, he entered me on the register of the demesmen as Mantitheus, before he introduced this man to the clansmen. Therefore not by virtue of time only, but also by virtue of justice I have the right to bear this name as a mark of seniority.
30
Very well. Now, suppose one should ask you this question? Tell me, Boeotus, how is it that you have now become a member of the tribe Acamantis, and of the deme Thoricus, and a son of Mantias, and have your share in the property left by him? You could give no other answer than, Mantias while living acknowledged me, too, as his son. If one should ask you what proof you had of this or what evidence, you would say, He introduced me to the clansmen. But if one asked under what name he enrolled you, you would say, Boeotus, for that is the name by which you were introduced.
