03-26-2007, 09:10 PM
One of my favorites on politics in the ancient world. Works as well for the Romans or Athenians as it does the Thebans, they were always trying to tear down the most exceptional.
Upon returning from campaign, Epaminondas was persecuted by his political enemies. While on trial, he made no defense, but only asked that his charge read thus:
Epaminondas was punished by the Thebans with death, because he obliged them to overthrow the Lacedaemonians at Leuctra, whom, before he was general, none of the Boeotians durst look upon in the field, and because he not only, by one battle, rescued Thebes from destruction, but also secured liberty for all Greece, and brought the power of both people to such a condition, that the Thebans attacked Sparta, and the Lacedaemonians were content if they could save their lives; nor did he cease to prosecute the war, till, after settling Messene, he shut up Sparta with a close siege.
Cornelius Nepos, Life of Epaminondas
Apparently the jury broke into laughter and dropped the charges. Epaminondas was reelected Boetarch for the next year.
Upon returning from campaign, Epaminondas was persecuted by his political enemies. While on trial, he made no defense, but only asked that his charge read thus:
Epaminondas was punished by the Thebans with death, because he obliged them to overthrow the Lacedaemonians at Leuctra, whom, before he was general, none of the Boeotians durst look upon in the field, and because he not only, by one battle, rescued Thebes from destruction, but also secured liberty for all Greece, and brought the power of both people to such a condition, that the Thebans attacked Sparta, and the Lacedaemonians were content if they could save their lives; nor did he cease to prosecute the war, till, after settling Messene, he shut up Sparta with a close siege.
Cornelius Nepos, Life of Epaminondas
Apparently the jury broke into laughter and dropped the charges. Epaminondas was reelected Boetarch for the next year.
Marshal White
aka Aulus FABULOUS 8) <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="8)" title="Cool" />8) . . . err, I mean Fabius
"Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it."
- Pericles, Son of Athens
aka Aulus FABULOUS 8) <img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_cool.gif" alt="8)" title="Cool" />8) . . . err, I mean Fabius
"Freedom is the sure possession of those alone who have the courage to defend it."
- Pericles, Son of Athens
