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 forensic oration from ancient Athens, dealing with a dispute over a maritime loan agreement. The plaintiff accuses the defendant, Dionysodorus, of violating their contract by failing to return to the Athenian port of Piraeus after borrowing funds, and instead illegally redirecting the ship to sell grain elsewhere for illicit profit. Throughout the speech, the plaintiff systematically refutes the defendant's excuses—such as the damage to the ship and agreements with other creditors—demonstrating his clear breach of contract. Furthermore, the plaintiff denounces Dionysodorus's insolent behavior in demanding the complete cancellation of the contract while offering only partial repayment. Ultimately, the speaker argues that upholding the sanctity of contracts is vital for the preservation of Athenian maritime trade and the public interest, before calling upon Demosthenes as a co-litigant to conclude the plea.