Publisher's Synopsis
This book offers the first modern commentary on an important historical and legal speech from mid fourth-century Athens. A comprehensive introduction examines in detail the life and works of the author, Apollodorus, the legal background to the case and the historical circumstances which led to it. Athens was facing a crisis in funding her fleet during wartime, and the alleged unscrupulous and illegal behaviour of the speaker's opponent and others like him posed a real threat to her security. The extensive commentary aims to explain the intricate legal issues raised by the speech, as well as uncovering the clever rhetorical strategies employed by the speaker. The book offers a new English translation to accompany the Greek text, thereby facilitating access for non-classicists. The speech will be of interest to political and legal historians, as well as those interested in the history of rhetoric, and is designed for use by students and academics alike.
