A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Μελάνωπος), a son of Laches, the Athenian general, was one of three ambassadors (the other two being Glaucias and ANDROTION) who were sent to remonstrate with Mausolus, king of Caria, on his attempt to subject to himself the islands on the eastern coast of the Aegean. On their way they fell in with and captured a merchant ship of Naucratis, which was brought into the Peiraeeus, and condemned by the Athenians as an enemy's vessel. The prize-money, however, was retained by Melanopus and his colleagues; and, when the time drew near at which they would have to surrender it on pain of imprisonment, Timocrates proposed a law exempting public debtors from that penalty on their giving security for payment. A prosecution was hereupon instituted against Timocrates by Diodorus and Euctemon (private enemies of Androtion); and for them Demosthenes wrote the speech, still extant, which was delivered by Diodorus in B. C. 353. Before the trial came on, Melanopus and his colleagues paid the money. In the speech against Timocrates Melanopus is mentioned as having been guilty of treason, of embezzlement, of misconduct in an embassy to Egypt, and of injustice towards his own brothers. (Dem. c. Tim. p.740.)

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