Demosthenes, Speeches 20-22

22. Against Androtion

. AGAINST ANDROTION introduction Androtion was a wealthy Athenian who was active in politics. His father Andron was associated with prominent intellectuals in the late fifth century and may have played a role in the Revolution of 411. Two sources make Androtion a student of the orator Isocrates, but in his Antidosis, Isocrates (15.93–94) does not list him among his pupils. Androtion entered politics around 385; a decree of 378/7 reveals that he was a member of the Council and presided over a meeting of the Assembly during that year. At one point he was elected to a special office that granted him the power to collect the arrears for the property tax (eisphora; 48); some scholars place this in the 370s, but it may have occurred later. Sometime before 365/4 he passed a decree instructing theTreasurersofAthenatomeltdowndedicationstomakeprocessional  For the evidence about Androtion’s career, see Harding 1976 and Harding 1994: 13–25, 53–59.  Plato Protagoras 315c; Gorgias 487c.  For Andron’s actions in 411, [Plut.] Moralia 833d–f; Harpocration s.v. Andron. But Harding 1994: 15 argues that this may be Andron, son of Androcles, of Gargettos . The claims made by Demosthenes that Andron was a public debtor are probably just slander (33–34, 56, 68; Dem. 24.125, 168).  Scholion to 22 and Zosimus Life of Isocrates 256.91 (Westerman).  For doubts about Androtion’s connection with Isocrates, see Harding 1994: 17–19.  See IG ii 61, lines 6–7.  Moscati Castelnuovo 1980: 254–257 places it in the mid 370s; Harding 1976: 193 n. 54, places it during his service in the Council (356/5). 168 demosthenes vessels. Between 358/7 and 357/6 he served as garrison commander on the island of Andros. We owe our knowledge of this appointment to a decree from the city of Arcesine on the island, which praises him for his honesty and generosity in carrying out his duties. The decree commends him for lending the city money and advancing money for soldiers ’ wages, both without charging interest, which saved the city 12 minas, and for ransoming prisoners captured by the enemy. In 346/5 he passed a decree granting honors to the sons of Leucon, the king of the Bosporus mentioned in Against Leptines (31–44). In 356/5 Androtion served in the Council for a second time. After his term of office, Androtion proposed in the Assembly a decree of honors for the members of the Council in his year. Euctemon, whom Androtion had earlier removed from office (27, 48), took this opportunity to retaliate against his enemy and brought a public action against Androtion for proposing an illegal decree (graphe paranomon). He charged that the decree violated the law in three ways: first, the motion was introduced to the Assembly without prior consultation with the Council (5–7); second, the law forbade the Council to ask for an award unless it had triremes built during its term of office, and this Council had not done this (8); and third, Androtion did not have the right to propose a motion because he had been a prostitute and was also a public debtor (21–24, 33–34). Demosthenes wrote the speech for Diodorus, who appeared at the trial as a supporting speaker for the accuser (1). Diodorus also says that he bore a grudge against Androtion for bringing a charge of impiety against his uncle (2). Diodorus begins his speech with a brief introduction: there is no need for him to present an elaborate prologue because he is speaking second, after the accuser Euctemon, who probably presented the main  See 69–77 with IG ii 216/7 and ii 261 and the analysis of Lewis 1954: 41.  Rhodes and Osborne 2003: no. 51.  Rhodes and Osborne 2003: no. 64.  Dionysius of Halicarnassus (Letter to Ammaeus I.4) dates Against Androtion to the archonship of Callistratus (355/4), which would place Androtion’s service in the Council in the previous year (356/5). Lewis 1954: 43–44 argued that Androtion served in the Council in 359/8, but see Cawkwell 1962: 40–45. For men serving twice in the council, see Rhodes 1972: 242–243 and Hansen 2006: 27. 22. against androtion 169 charges against Androtion. Diodorus says a few words about his personal motive for attacking Androtion, who brought an unsuccessful charge of impiety against his uncle (1–3), then devotes...