Hypereides
Greek · Rhetoric · Oration
6 works · 2,136 aligned sentences
Against Athenogenes
This work is a courtroom oration in which a simple Athenian farmer, who has been trapped into assuming a massive debt, sues the perfumer Athenogenes to declare their contract void. The narrator, who is the plaintiff, explains how he was deceived by Athenogenes and his accomplice Antigona into signing an agreement to purchase the slave Midas and his sons, along with what he believed to be minor debts of the perfumery. After the signing, however, a ruinous amount of hidden liabilities was revealed. The plaintiff argues for the invalidity of the contract by citing various Athenian laws, including Solon's statutes and the principles of honesty in the Agora, which nullify agreements made under deception. To further damage his opponent's credibility, the narrator exposes Athenogenes' shameful past, including his desertion during the Battle of Chaeronea and his misdeeds in Troezen. Ultimately, the speaker entreats the jurors to punish the wicked Athenogenes and save an innocent man from ruin.
Rhetoric6 chunks · §1-6–§30-frag_36444 aligned sentencesRead →Against Demosthenes
This work is an accusatory oration delivering a severe indictment against Demosthenes, the leading Athenian orator, in the wake of the Harpalus affair involving bribery from a Macedonian fugitive. The accuser begins by pointing out the contradiction in Demosthenes' behavior; having initially proposed that the Areopagus Council investigate the matter, he began to slander the council as soon as their findings proved unfavorable to him. The speech exposes how Demosthenes neglected his duty of managing the funds and personally accepted bribes, dismantling his excuse that the money was an advance loan to the state. Furthermore, the accuser charges him with political betrayal, arguing that under the guise of public service, he actually accommodated Alexander the Great and hindered anti-Macedonian coalitions. Finally, the orator urges the jurors to ignore Demosthenes' pathetic pleas and to deliver a strict and just verdict for the sake of the city.
Rhetoric6 chunks · §frag_1-frag_2–§frag_8-citations400 aligned sentencesRead →Against Philippides
This work is a court oration by the Athenian orator Hypereides, prosecuting his political opponent Philippides for proposing an illegal decree. It fiercely denounces Philippides and his associates, who sycophantically fawned on foreign powers by exploiting Athens' misfortunes. The orator begins by arguing for the invalidity of an illegal honorary decree proposed for the assembly presidents. He then exposes Philippides' anti-democratic behavior and his past record of two previous convictions. Ultimately, the speech appeals to the jurors to show no mercy and to punish the defendant severely in order to safeguard the justice of the polis and the democratic constitution.
Rhetoric2 chunks · §frag_1-5–§6-13231 aligned sentencesRead →For Euxenippus
This work is a courtroom oration delivered by the Athenian orator Hypereides in defense of Euxenippus, an ordinary citizen unjustly accused of treason. The speech begins by criticizing the abuse of the impeachment process (eisangelia), which was legally intended for major state crimes but was being misused for trivial matters, such as the interpretation of a temple dream. Mid-way through, Hypereides exposes the falsehoods and contradictions in the accusations, which involve territorial disputes over sacred lands and alleged flattery toward the Macedonian royal family. He argues that the prosecutor is merely exploiting public jealousy of Euxenippus's wealth, citing historical precedents where the Athenian courts protected private property. Ultimately, the orator appeals to the jurors' sense of justice, urging them to reject the unlawful impeachment and render a fair, impartial verdict.
Rhetoric5 chunks · §1-9–§34-41445 aligned sentencesRead →For Lycophron
This work is a courtroom oration delivered in defense of Lycophron, an Athenian citizen accused of inducing a newlywed bride to commit infidelity. In the speech, the defense exposes the absurdity of the charges brought by the prosecutors Ariston and Lycurgus, arguing that such solicitation would be impossible given the public nature of the wedding ceremony and the presence of witnesses. Furthermore, the speaker fiercely criticizes Ariston for bypassing standard legal procedures and abusing the impeachment process (eisangelia) to slander the defendant without risking any penalty. In the latter half, the defense highlights the contradictions in the prosecution's claims and appeals to Lycophron's past public services and personal integrity. Finally, to overcome his disadvantage as a private citizen, the defendant secures the jury's permission to call supporting advocates (synegoroi) to the podium to plead for his acquittal.
Rhetoric3 chunks · §frag_1-5–§13-20249 aligned sentencesRead →Funeral Oration
This work is a classic Greek funeral oration (epitaphios logos) delivered to honor the general Leosthenes and the Athenian soldiers who lost their lives fighting against Macedonia in the Lamian War. The speech begins by praising the enduring achievements of Athens and the noble lineage of the fallen. Rather than dwelling on their upbringing, the orator focuses on the exceptional courage of the soldiers on the battlefield and the outstanding military leadership of General Leosthenes. It highlights how their sacrifices in battles such as those in Boeotia and Thermopylae saved Greece from the harsh fate of Macedonian domination, asserting that autonomy is the very foundation of happiness. Finally, the orator depicts the deceased being welcomed in Hades by mythological heroes and historic liberators, offering comfort to the grieving families by emphasizing that their death is not a tragedy, but the birth of immortal glory.
Rhetoric5 chunks · §1-7–§35-43367 aligned sentencesRead →