Apollodorus Against Polycles for Expenses Incurred while Serving as Trierarch (42-44)

and paid to Hagnias what the latter convinced him was due for the expenses he had incurred on their behalf while serving as trierarch beyond his time, and hired from Hagnias the ship’s equipment, and assumed himself the duties of trierarch. Afterwards, when the men from Phrasierides came, they paid his share of the expenses to Mnesilochus, and for the remainder of the term joined in meeting whatever expenditures he required for the ship.

(To the clerk.) Read, please, the deposition establishing these facts.

The Deposition

Perhaps, now, men of the jury, you want to hear for what possible reason the general failed to compel the defendant to take over the ship, when he came to it as my successor, the laws on the matter being so strict. In regard to this I wish to show you clearly why it was. For Timomachus, men of the jury, wished above all things to have the trireme well equipped for every service.

He knew, however, that the defendant, if he took over the ship, would manage wretchedly as trierarch; that he would get service neither from the crew nor the marines nor the rowers, for not one of them would stay with him. Besides, he knew that, if he ordered him to sail without giving him money, he would not put out to sea at his bidding, as I should do, but would make trouble. And in addition to this he borrowed from him thirty minae on the understanding that he would not force him to take over the ship.