Demosthenes, Against Aristocrates, section 82

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Table of Contents:

Against Meidias

Against Androtion

Against Aristocrates

Against Timocrates

Against Aristogeiton 1

Against Aristogeiton 2

Against Aphobus 1

Against Aphobus 2

Against Aphobus 3

Against Onetor 1

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[82]

Have we any statute left? . . . Let me see it. . . . . Yes, that is the one; read it.“Law

If any man die a violent death, his kinsmen may take and hold hostages in respect of such death, until they either submit to trial for bloodguiltiness, or surrender the actual manslayers. This right is limited to three hostages and no more.”

We have many well-conceived laws, men of Athens; but I am inclined to think that this statute is as wise and just as any of them. Observe the spirit of equity and the remarkable humanity with which it is drawn up.

Demosthenes. Demosthenes with an English translation by A. T. Murray, Ph.D., LL.D. Cambridge, MA, Harvard University Press; London, William Heinemann Ltd. 1939.

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