I. 4.
On the Estate of Kiron
[Or. VIII.]
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Kiron's aunt
Kiron's mother
first wife of Kiron
Kiron
Kiron's brother
wife of Nausimenes and of a second husband who is father of the children
the speaker
one brother, § 37
second wife of Kiron, sister of Diokles
two sons, both deceased
claimant against the speaker
Kiron's grandfather
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Kiron married his first-cousin, by whom he had one daughter. This daughter was married, first, to Nausimenes; secondly, to another husband by whom she had two sons, of whom the eldest is the speaker.
After the death of his first wife, Kiron married the sister of one Diokles, and had by her two sons, both of whom died young.
At the death of Kiron, his estate was claimed by his daughter's eldest son. But the son of Kiron's brother, instigated by Diokles
1, set up a counterclaim on two distinct grounds: 1. That Kiron's grandson is illegitimate: 2. That, supposing him legitimate, a brother's son has a better claim than a daughter's son
2. This speech is the defendant's answer.
The only indication of the date is that the
speaker and his brother were born after the archonship of Eukleides
3, Ol. 94. 2, 403 B.C. (§ 43). The speech cannot, then, be put before 383 B.C. On the other hand, the speaker's plea of ‘utter inexperience’ (§ 5) implies youthfulness. Now, if he was a young man, the date cannot be much below 383
4,
since otherwise it would have been superfluous for him to tell the judges that he was born after 403. The date is probably about 375 B.C.
The speaker denounces the impudence of this attempt
to defraud himself and his brother,—an attempt which has been organised by Diokles; but expresses his confidence of being able to defeat it (§§ 1—5).
I. First, he will show that his mother was the legitimate daughter of Kiron (§ 6). He states the facts as to Kiron's second marriage (§§ 7—9); and proves, in support of them, that he had challenged the other side to give up Kiron's slaves for torture, which challenge had been refused (§§ 9—14). He and his brother were always treated by Kiron as his nearest kinsmen (§§ 15—17). His mother was treated as Kiron's daughter both by her husband and by the women of Kiron's deme: he and his brother were formally enrolled by Kiron in his phratria (§§ 18—20). Lastly, Diokles himself allowed the speaker and his brother to assist at the funeral of Kiron—thus recognising the relationship (§§ 21—29).
II. Secondly, he will show that, as son of Kiron's daughter, he has a better claim than the son of Kiron's brother. Descent (
γένος) is a nearer tie than collateral kinship (
συγγένεια): descendants (
ἔκγονοι) inherit before collateral relations (
συγγενεῖς). This is illustrated by the law on the maltreatment of parents (
ὁ περὶ κακώσεως νόμος, § 32). According to that law, the obligation to maintain relatives descends lineally. The corresponding right to inherit from relatives must descend lineally too (§§ 30—34).
An account of the property of Kiron and of the intrigues of Diokles (§§ 35—39) is followed by a personal attack on
Diokles (§§ 40—42). This attack is resumed in the epilogue; and the speech concludes with the calling of evidence to show that Diokles had been guilty of adultery (§§ 43—46).