Against Callimachus (57-59)

And after the commission of such crimes he will dare to say that it is we who are lying. Why that would be as if Phrynondas[*] should reproach a man with villainy, or as if Philurgos, who stole the Gorgon’s head,[*] had called everybody else temple-robbers! Who is more likely to present witnesses of events which have not occurred than my antagonist here, who himself has the hardihood to testify falsely for others?

But against Callimachus it will be possible to bring accusations time and again, for he has contrived his life as a citizen that way; but as for myself, I shall say nothing of all my other contributions to the state, but I will merely remind you of that one, a service for which, if you would do me justice, you would not only be grateful, but you would take it even as evidence bearing upon the case as a whole.

Now when the city had lost its ships in the Hellespont[*] and was shorn of its power, I so far surpassed the majority of the trierarchs that I was one of the very few who saved their ships: and of these few I alone brought back my ship to the Piraeus and did not resign my duties as trierarch;