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And when the power recently shifted from them to Philip they then chose to flatter him and Democrates of AphidnaDemocrates of Aphidna was a politician whom Aeschines mentions (Aeschin. 2. 17;cf. Isaeus 6. 22). He had quite a reputation for wit and some of his sayings are preserved. As a descendant of one of the tyrant-slayers, probably of Aristogiton, who appears to have been a member of the tribe Aphidna, he enjoyed free meals in the Prytaneum, a privilege to which apparently only the eldest of each line was entitled (CIA1.8; 2. 240). who never leaves their sides makes jokes on the city’s misfortunes, abusing you in the market place by day and then coming at evening to dine at your table. And yet you, Democrates, are the one person who has no right to say a single hard word against the state, for two reasons:
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first because you needed no one but yourself to show you that the city is grateful to her benefactors, you who now enjoy the honors for services which other men once rendered; and secondly because the people drew up a law forbidding anyone to speak ill of Harmodius and Aristogeiton or sing disparaging songs about them.Harmodius and Aristogiton are mentioned again in Hyp. 6. 39. This particular privilege is not elsewhere recorded. It is therefore scandalous that, though the people saw fit to prevent even a drunken man from abusing your ancestors, you should be speaking ill of the state even when you are sober.
