Philip’s Letter

And yet is it fair and right that, when it suits your convenience, you should call him an enemy of your state, but, when you want to bully me, the same man should be described as your fellow-citizen; and that on the death of Sitalces,[*](Apparently a mistake. Sitalces, king of the Odrysae, was an ally, but not a citizen, of Athens, and was killed in battle against the Triballi in 424 (Thuc. 4.101). The description here exactly suits Cotys.) on whom you did confer your citizenship, you should at once cultivate the friendship of his murderer, and pick a quarrel with us to shield Cersobleptes? And all the time you know perfectly well that of those who receive such honors at your hands not one cares a jot for your laws or your decrees.

However, if I may mention two instances to the exclusion of the rest, you gave your citizenship to Evagoras[*](If this is the younger Evagoras, Philip’s history is inaccurate. He was expelled from Cyprus, and helped Artaxerxes to recover the island after the revolt, but he was never reinstated. His grandfather, of the same name, the friend and helper of Conon, was made an Athenian citizen.) of Cyprus and to Dionysius[*](The younger, expelled by Dion in 356 and by Timoleon in 343.) of Syracuse, to them and their descendants. Now, if you can persuade either of these peoples to restore their exiled tyrants, then you may apply to me for as much of Thrace as was ruled by Teres and Cersobleptes. But if you have not a word to say against those who overthrew Evagoras and Dionysius, but persist in harassing me, have I not a perfect right to defend myself against you.

Now I prefer to pass over many complaints that I might justly make, but I admit that I am helping the Cardians,[*](See Dem. 8) for I was their ally before the peace, and you refused to submit your claim to arbitration, though you were often pressed to do so by me, and not infrequently by the Cardians. Should I not be utterly contemptible if I threw over my allies and paid more regard to you, who are harassing me in every way, than to those who have always been my staunch friends.