Against The Corn-Dealers

So, first of all, go up on the dais.[*](One of the corn-dealers is made to go up on the bema and is questioned. Cf. Lys. 12.25; Lys. 13.30.) Tell me, sir, are you a resident alien? Yes. Do you reside as an alien to obey the city’s laws, or to do just as you please? To obey. Must you not, then, expect to be put to death, if you have committed a breach of the laws for which death is the penalty? I must. Then answer me: do you acknowledge that you bought up corn in excess of the fifty measures[*](A basket or measure was about a bushel and a half.) which the law sets as the limit? I bought it up on an order from the magistrates.

Well now, gentlemen, if he proves that there is a law which orders the corn-dealers to buy up the corn on an order from the magistrates, acquit him: if not, it is just that you should condemn him. For we have produced to you the law which forbids anyone in the city to buy up corn in excess of fifty measures.