Calli'xenus
（
*Kalli/cenos) was the mover in the Athenian
βουλή of the following decree against the generals who had conquered at Arginusae, B. C. 406,--a decree as false in its preamble as it was illegal and iniquitous in its substance: " Whereas the accusation against the generals, as well as their defence, has been heard in the previous assembly, be it enacted that all the Athenians give their votes on the case according to their tribes; and that for each tribe there be set two urns to receive the ballots of condemnation or acquittal. And if they be found guilty, let them suffer death; and let their property be confiscated, and a tenth of it be set apart for the goddess."
The decree, in fact, took away from the accused the right of separate trials and a fair hearing; and, when it was brought before the assembly, Euryptolemus and some other friends of the generals threatened Callixenus with a prosecution for his illegal proposition, but were compelled by the clamours of the multitude to drop their proceedings. The Prytanes then refused to put the motion to the vote; but they too, with the single exception of Socrates (who was
ἐπιστάτης for that day) were obliged to give way before the invectives of Callixenus and the threats of the people. (
Xen. Hell. 1.7. §§ 8-16,
Memorab. 1. §. 18; Plat.
Apol. p. 32b.; Psendo-Plat.
Axioch.. p. 368,
ad fin.) Not long after the death of the generals the Athenians decreed the institution of criminal accusations (
προβολά, see
Dict. of Ant. s. v.) against Callixenus and the rest who had deceived them.
He and four others accordingly were compelled to give bail for their appearance, and were kept in confinement by their sureties. They contrived, however, to effect their escape, and took refuge with the Lacedaemonians at Decelcia. On the restoration of democracy at Athens, B. C. 403, Callixenus took advantage of the general amnesty to return : but the ban of his countrymen's hatred was upon him, --no man, it is said, would give him either water or light for his fire,--and he perished miserably of hunger. (
Diod. 13.103;
Xen. Hell. 1.7.35,; Suid.
s. r. ?εναύειν; comp.
Hdt. 7.231.)
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