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Andocides On the Mysteries 4 [andoc. 1.4]



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Greek text with morphological links

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[3] With defendants who face a trial of their own free will, gentlemen, it

stands to reason that you should feel as convinced of their innocence as

they do themselves. When a defendant admits himself guilty by refusing to

await trial, you naturally endorse the verdict which he has passed upon

himself; so it follows that if a man is prepared to face his trial because

his conscience is clear, you should let his verdict upon himself determine

your own in the same way, instead of presuming him guilty.

[4] Mine is a case in point. My enemies have been saying, or so I keep

hearing, that I would take to my heels instead of standing my ground. "What

motive could Andocides possibly have for braving so hazardous a trial?"

they argue. "He can count upon a livelihood sufficient for all his needs,

if he does no more than withdraw from Attica; while if he returns to Cyprus

whence he has come, an abundance of good land has been offered him and is

his for the asking. Will a man in his position want to risk his life? What

object could he have in doing so? Cannot he see the state of things in

Athens?"

[5] That entirely misrepresents my feelings, gentlemen. I would never

consent to a life abroad which cut me off from my country, whatever the

advantages attached to it; and although conditions in Athens may be what my

enemies allege, I would sooner be a citizen of her than of any other state

which may appear to me to be just now at the height of prosperity. Those

are the feelings which have led me to place my life in your hands.



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