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 work is a courtroom speech concerning the award of a crown for the completion of the trierarchy (trierarchia)—the public service of equipping a trireme in ancient Athens. The speaker asserts his right to receive the trierarchic crown, arguing that he was the first to fully equip his vessel and perform his civic duty. He exposes and denounces his rival, who neglected the actual duties, hired professional speechwriters, and even subcontracted the liturgy (leitourgia) to others at a low cost. The speaker warns the jurors that such negligence and pursuit of private interest by the wealthy threaten the safety of the citizens and the state. Finally, he criticizes the opposing co-advocates for their hypocrisy and appeals to the jury to render a strict and just verdict to preserve the honor and integrity of public service.