Isokrates: The Forensic Speeches (Nos. 16–21) 2 Hardback Volume Set
Introduction, Text, Translation and Commentary

For the first time, the six speeches written for court-cases by the Athenian pundit Isokrates are translated and analysed together.

David Whitehead (Edited by)

9781108303729, Cambridge University Press

Multiple-component retail product, published 21 April 2022

0 pages
22.3 x 14.6 x 7.1 cm, 1.62 kg

The Athenian Isokrates (436–338 BC) is well-known for his long career as an educator and pundit; but originally he wrote 'forensic' speeches, i.e. for delivery in court. Six of them survive (five from Athens, one from Aigina), on issues including assault, fraud and inheritance. Here for the first time, after a General Introduction, they are presented and analysed in depth as a self-contained group. The Greek text and a facing English translation - both new - are augmented by commentaries which juxtapose this material with other surviving writers in the genre (and with Isocrates' own later output). In the process, too, the speeches' historical background, personnel, legal context, rhetorical strategies and all other relevant topics are explored.

General introduction
Preamble to the text
Private prosecution of Euthynous for (?) withholding a deposit: support-speech by a friend of the plaintiff Nikias (no.21)
Special plea to block Kallimachos' private prosecution for (?) damages (no.18)
Private prosecution of Lochites for battery (no.20)
On the horse-team (peri tou zeugous): defence of Alkibiades the Younger against Teisias' private prosecution for (?) ejectment (no.16)
Banking speech ('trapezitikos'): private prosecution of passion for withholding a (bank-) deposit (no.17)
Aiginetan speech ('Aiginetikos'): claim to inherit the estate of Thrasylochose of Siphnos (no.19).

Subject Areas: Ancient history: to c 500 CE [HBLA], Literary studies: classical, early & medieval [DSBB]