For Phormion

For Phormion (Ancient Greek: Παραγραφὴ ὑπὲρ Φορμίωνος, translit. Paragraphe Hyper Phormionos) was a speech composed by the Athenian logographer Demosthenes. It was delivered on Phormion's behalf, possibly by Demosthenes himself, probably in 350–49 BC.[1] It is the thirty-sixth speech in the Demosthenic corpus.

The speech deals with a dispute between Apollodoros of Acharnae and his stepfather Phormion, over the handling of Apollodoros' inheritance.[2] Apollodoros had claimed that Phormion had never paid back an 11 talent loan, and prosecuted Phormion in order to compel him to return this along with interest – a total of 20 talents.[2] In order to block this, Phormion counter-sued, claiming that Apollodoros had previously made a formal declaration that all of Phormion's debts to him had been fulfilled; Apollodoros, he claimed, therefore did not have standing to sue.[3] For Phormion was written to be delivered as part of this countersuit.[3]

The speech was composed to be presented by a supporter of Phormion, rather than Phormion himself. Phormion had apparently been unable to speak, either due to his poor Greek or incapacity due to illness or old age.[4] Though it is not certain whether the speech was delivered by Demosthenes or another friend of Phormion, the orator Dinarchus writes that Demosthenes did give a speech on behalf of Phormion in a trial; it is likely that this is a reference to For Phormion.[5]

For Phormion is one of the few speeches from ancient Athens for which we have any information about the result of the case.[6] Apollodoros' first speech Against Stephanos shows that Phormion's countersuit was successful, and that he won the case.[7]

References

  1. ↑ MacDowell 2009, pp. 109–110.
  2. 1 2 MacDowell 2009, pp. 110–111.
  3. 1 2 MacDowell 2009, p. 111.
  4. ↑ MacDowell 2004, p. 151.
  5. ↑ MacDowell 2004, pp. 151–152.
  6. ↑ MacDowell 2004, p. 152.
  7. ↑ MacDowell 2009, p. 114.

Works cited

  • MacDowell, D.M. (2004). Demosthenes: Speeches 27–38. Austin: University of Texas Press.
  • MacDowell, D.M. (2009). Demosthenes the Orator. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
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