Lysias
Lysias
The purest prose stylist in Greek
c. 445 BC – c. 380 BC
Lysias was born around 445 BC, probably in Athens, the son of Cephalus, a wealthy Syracusan metic (resident alien) in whose house Plato set the Republic. The family's wealth was confiscated by the Thirty Tyrants in 404 BC; Lysias's brother Polemarchus was executed, and Lysias himself barely escaped with his life.
He became a logographer — a professional speechwriter for clients appearing in Athenian courts. Thirty-four speeches survive under his name. They are models of clarity, simplicity, and narrative art. Lysias's great gift is characterisation: each speech is written in the voice of its speaker, so convincingly that ancient critics called his style 'artless' — the supreme compliment to an art that conceals itself.
His speech Against Eratosthenes, prosecuting one of the Thirty Tyrants, is both a masterpiece of forensic oratory and a harrowing personal testimony.
Works (34)
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1
Accusation of Calumny oratory
An unnamed speaker confronts a circle of companions who have been slandering him behind his back while pretending friendship to his face. Unique in th...
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2
Against Agoratus oratory
A prosecution of Agoratus for informing against the democratic leaders during the oligarchy of the Thirty. The speech reveals the terror of that perio...
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3
Against Alcibiades 1 oratory
A prosecution of Alcibiades the younger for desertion and cowardice in battle.
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4
Against Alcibiades 2 oratory
A second prosecution of Alcibiades the younger, continuing the military charges.
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5
Against Andocides oratory
A prosecution of Andocides for impiety. Lysias argues that Andocides, implicated in the mutilation of the Herms, should not be allowed to participate...
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6
Against Diogeiton oratory
A prosecution of Diogeiton for defrauding his own grandchildren of their inheritance. The most emotionally powerful of Lysias' private cases.
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7
Against Epicrates and his Fellow-envoys oratory
A prosecution of Epicrates and his fellow envoys for corruption during a diplomatic mission.
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8
Against Eratosthenes oratory
A prosecution of Eratosthenes, one of the Thirty Tyrants, for the murder of Lysias' brother Polemarchus. Lysias' most personal speech — he is prosecut...
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10
Against Nicomachus oratory
A prosecution of Nicomachus for delaying the codification of the laws and inserting unauthorized provisions.
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11
Against Pancleon oratory
A prosecution arguing that Pancleon is not a citizen of Plataea and therefore has no right to Athenian legal protections.
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13
Against Philon oratory
A speech opposing Philon's appointment to a public position, arguing he is unfit to serve.
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14
Against Simon oratory
A defence against a charge of assault. Simon and the defendant competed for the same boy — the violence escalated from there.
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15
Against The Corn-Dealers oratory
A prosecution of the corn dealers for price-fixing during a grain shortage. Lysias argues they hoarded grain to drive up prices.
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16
Against Theomnestus 1 oratory
A prosecution for slander. The speaker was called a murderer and sues for defamation.
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18
Against The Subversion of the Ancestral Constitution oratory
A speech arguing against changing the ancestral constitution of Athens.
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19
Defense Against a Charge of Subverting the Democracy oratory
A defence against a charge of attempting to subvert democracy.
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20
Defense Against A Charge Of Taking Bribes oratory
A defence against a charge of taking bribes. Brief and fragmentary.
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22
For Polystratus oratory
A defence of Polystratus, accused of serving on the oligarchic Council of Four Hundred.
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23
For The Soldier oratory
A soldier defends himself against an unnamed charge, emphasising his military service.
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24
Funeral Oration oratory
A funeral oration for Athenians killed in the Corinthian War. Lysias surveys Athenian history from mythology to the present, celebrating the city's tr...
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25
In Defense of Mantitheus oratory
A young man defends his character before the Council, arguing that his family's democratic loyalty should count in his favour.
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26
Olympic Oration oratory
A speech delivered at the Olympic games, urging the Greeks to unite against tyranny.
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27
On A Wound By Premeditation oratory
A defence against a charge of wounding with intent. The speaker argues the wound was accidental, not premeditated.
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28
On the Confiscation of the Property Of The Brother Of Nicias oratory
A defence against confiscation of the property of a relative of Nicias.
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29
On the Murder of Eratosthenes oratory
A husband catches his wife's lover in the act and kills him. Lysias defends the killing as lawful — a vivid courtroom narrative of adultery, honour, a...
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30
On the Olive Stump oratory
A man defends his claim to an olive stump on his property — a seemingly trivial case that touches on sacred trees, property rights, and the oversight...
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31
On the Property of Aristophanes oratory
A defence against the claim that the property of Aristophanes should be confiscated by the state.
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32
On The Property Of Eraton oratory
A man defends himself against the confiscation of the property of Eraton, arguing it does not belong to the state.
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33
On The Refusal Of A Pension oratory
A disabled man defends his right to a state pension. His opponent claims he is not disabled enough. One of the most charming speeches in the corpus.
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