Aeschines, Against Timarchus, Charles Darwin Adams (Translator), 23

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[23] After the purifying sacrifice has been carried round¹ and the herald has offered the traditional prayers, the presiding officers are commanded to declare to be next in order the discussion of matters pertaining to the national religion, the reception of heralds and ambassadors, and the discussion of secular matters.² The herald then asks, Who of those above fifty years of age wishes to address the assembly? When all these have spoken, he then invites any other Athenian to speak who wishes (provided such privileges belongs to him).³

Against Timarchus. Aeschines. Charles Darwin Adams (Translator). London. 1919.

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Current edition Perseus

Against Timarchus (English) (The Speeches of Aeschines. Adams, Charles Darwin, translator. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919 (1958 printing).)

Editions (1)

Κατὰ Τιμάρχου Perseus (The Speeches of Aeschines. Adams, Charles Darwin, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1919 (1958 printing).) — 23 focus

[23] καὶ πῶς κελεύει τοὺς προέδρους χρηματίζειν; ἐπειδὰν τὸ καθάρσιον περιενεχθῇ καὶ ὁ κῆρυξ τὰς πατρίους εὐχὰς εὔξηται, προχειροτονεῖν κελεύει τοὺς προέδρους περὶ ἱερῶν τῶν πατρίων καὶ κήρυξι καὶ πρεσβείαις καὶ ὁσίων, καὶ μετὰ ταῦτα ἐπερωτᾷ ὁ κῆρυξ· τίς ἀγορεύειν βούλεται τῶν ὑπὲρ πεντήκοντα ἔτη γεγονότων; ἐπειδὰν δὲ οὗτοι πάντες εἴπωσι, τότʼ ἤδη κελεύει λέγειν τῶν ἄλλων Ἀθηναίων τὸν βουλόμενον, οἷς ἔξεστιν.

Notes on the current edition

Against Timarchus

1. It was custom at Athens to purify the ecclesia, the theatres, and the gatherings of the people in general by the sacrifice of very small pigs, which they named καθάρσια.—Harpocration

2. The above interpretation is confirmed by Aristot. Const. Ath. 43.1.29 f., where we find the same phraseology, evidently that of the law itself. Heralds, whose person was inviolate even in time of war, were often sent to carry messages from one state to another. They frequently prepared the way for negotiations to be conducted by ambassadors, appointed for the special occasion.

3. That is, any citizen who is not disqualified by some loss of civic privilege inflicted as a penalty. Aeschines has in mind the fact that a man like Timarchus would not have the privilege.

Aeschines Against Timarchus 23

Charles Darwin Adams (Translator)

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