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Andocides On the Mysteries 8 [andoc. 1.8]



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[7] And there is another thing to be borne in mind. Serious charges have

often before now been disproved at once, and so decisively that you would

much rather have punished the accusers than the accused. Again, witnesses

have caused the death of innocent men by giving false evidence, and have

only been convicted of perjury when it was too late to be of help to the

victims. When this kind of thing has been so common, you can hardly do less

than refuse for the Present to consider the prosecution's statement of the

case trustworthy. You may use it to judge whether the charge is serious or

not but you cannot tell whether the charge is true or false until you have

heard my reply as well.



[8] Now I am wondering at what point to begin my defence, gentlemen. Shall

I start with what ought to be discussed last and prove that the prosecution

disobeyed the law in lodging their information against me? Shall I take the

decree of Isotimides and show that it has been annulled? Shall I start with

the laws which have been passed and the oaths which have been taken? Or

shall I tell you the story right from the beginning? I will explain the

chief reason for my hesitation. Doubtless the different charges made have

not moved you all to the same degree, and each of you has some one of them

to which he would like me to reply first; yet to answer them all

simultaneously is impossible. On the whole, I think it best to tell you the

entire story from the beginning, omitting nothing; once you are properly

acquainted with the facts, you will see immediately how unfounded are the

charges which my accusers have brought against me.



[9] Now to return a just verdict is already, I feel sure, your intention;

indeed, it was because I relied upon you that I stood my ground. I have

observed that in suits public and private the one thing to which you attach

supreme importance is that your decision should accord with your oath; and

it is that, and that alone, which keeps our city unshaken, in spite of

those who would have things otherwise. I do, however, ask you to listen to

my defence with sympathy; do not range yourselves with my opponents; do not

view my story with suspicion; do not watch for faults of expression. Hear

my defence to the end: and only then return the verdict which you think

best befits yourselves and best satisfies your oath.



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