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One thing remained now for them to do—to betray Cersobleptes and the Thracian coast. This they accomplished on the 25th of Elaphebolion, before Demosthenes set out on the second embassy, the embassy for the ratification of the oaths (for this orator of ours, this man who shouts Down with Alexander! and Down with Philip! has twice been an ambassador to Macedonia, when he need not have gone once—the man who now bids you spit on the Macedonians). Presiding over the assembly on the 25th, for he had gained a seat in the senate by intrigue,The presiding officer of the assembly was a senator,chosen by lot for the day. he, with the help of Philocrates, betrayed Cersobleptes;
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for Philocrates unobserved slipped this clause in among the provisions of his resolution, and Demosthenes put it to the vote, that The members of the synod of the allies do on this day give their oaths to the ambassadors from Philip. But no representative of Cersobleptes had a seat in the synod and so in providing that those who were sitting in the synod should give oath, he excluded Cersobleptes from the oaths, for he had no place in the synod.cp. Aeschin. 2.81-86.
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As proof that I am speaking the truth, read, if you please, who it was that made this motion, and who it was that put it to vote.
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The Resolution
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An excellent thing, fellow citizens, an excellent thing is the preservation of the public acts. For the record remains undisturbed, and does not shift sides with political turncoats, but whenever the people desire, it gives them opportunity to discern who have been rascals of old, but have now changed face and claim to be honorable men.
