86
The same orator was responsible for the misfortunes which overtook them and those which will soon overtake him. He himself in the Assembly instructed this council to judge his case, after calling on you as his witnesses. He made an agreement with the people and proposed the decree against himself, to be kept by the mother of the gods,Dinarchus is alluding to the Metroon, in which the state archives were kept. Cf. Lyc. 1.66 and note. who is the city's guardian of all written contracts. It would thus be impious for you to invalidate this or, after swearing by the gods in the present trial, to give a vote which did not conform with the actions of the gods themselves.
87
When Poseidon lost his suit against Ares over Halirrothius he abode by the decision.According to tradition, Halirrothius, son of Poseidon, was killed by Ares for trying to seduce his daughter Alcippe. Poseidon accused Ares before the Areopagus but failed to secure his conviction. Cf. Apollod. 3.14.2. The awful goddesses too, in their case against Orestes,Orestes, pursued by the Furies, was said to have been given protection by Athena, who allowed the Areopagus to try his case and herself gave the casting vote which acquitted him. Cf. Aesch. Eum. 443 sq.; Paus. 1.28.5. abode by the judgement of this council, associating themselves for the future with its reputation for truth. How will you act with your claim to unrivalled piety? Will you annul the decision of the council and follow the bad example of Demosthenes? You will not, Athenians, if you remain in your senses.
