Source edition
Demosthenes. Orationes, Vol. III. Rennie, W., editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1931.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This speech, delivered by Apollodorus, is a forensic oration prosecuting Stephanos for giving false testimony regarding the will of Apollodorus's deceased father, Pasion. The speaker begins by arguing that Stephanos's testimony was perjury, as he was not present at the drafting or opening of the will, and explains the legal restrictions surrounding hearsay evidence. Apollodorus then exposes the illegality of Phormio's actions, demonstrating through chronological contradictions in Phormio's citizenship status that the will itself is a forgery. He further contends that his father had no legal right to draft such a will, presenting evidence of the defense's refusal to undergo a test involving the torture of female slaves (*basanos*). Finally, Apollodorus details the legal irregularities concerning the heiress's estate (*epidikasia*) to seal his case, demanding that Stephanos be held accountable for his complicity in the forgery.