Plea of Chrysipus and Partner Against Phormio (37-38)

And he did this, men of the jury, though he was resident at Athens, and had a wife and children here, and although the laws have prescribed the severest penalties if anyone resident at Athens should transport grain to any other place than to the Athenian market; besides, he did this at a critical time, when those of you who dwelt in the city were having their barley-meal measured out to them in the Odeum,[*] and those who dwelt in Peiraeus were receiving their loaves at an obol each in the dockyard and in the long-porch,[*] having their meal measured out to them a gallon[*] at a time, and being nearly trampled to death.

In proof that my words are true, take, please, the deposition and the law.

The Deposition. The Law

Phormio, then, with the help of this fellow as his accomplice and witness, thinks proper to rob us of our money—us, who have continually brought grain to your market, and who in three crises which have come upon the state, during which you put to the test those who were of service to the people, have not once been found wanting. Nay, when Alexander entered Thebes,[*] we made you a free gift of a talent in cash;