The Funeral Speech

The nobility of birth of these men has been acknowledged from time immemorial by all mankind. For it is possible for them and for each one of their remote ancestors man by man to trace back their being, not only to a physical father, but also to this land of theirs as a whole, a common possession, of which they are acknowledged to be the indigenous children.[*](This topic appears in Plat. Menex. 237 b-c.) For alone of all mankind they settled the very land from which they were born and handed it down to their descendants, so that justly one may assume that those who came as migrants into their cities and are denominated citizens of the same are comparable to adopted children; but these men are citizens of their native land by right of legitimate birth.[*](This topic appears in Hyp. Epitaph. 7.)

In my view also the fact that the fruits of the earth by which men live were first manifest among us,[*](According to tradition the olive was created by the goddess Athena, while the culture of grain, especially wheat and barley, was established by Demeter, whose mysteries were celebrated at Eleusis close to Athens.) even apart from their being a superlative boon to all men, constitutes an acknowledged proof that this land is the mother of our ancestors. For all things that bring forth young produce at the same time nutriment out of the organism itself[*](Or, by a law of nature herself.) for those that are born. This very thing has been done by this land.[*](This topic is treated in more detail in Plat. Menex. 237e-238b.)

Such is the pride of birth that belongs to the ancestors of these men throughout the ages. As for Courage and the other elements of virtue, I shrink from rehearsing the whole story, being on my guard for fear an untimely length shall attach to my speech ,[*](Another commonplace: Hyp. 4 expresses a similar fear.) but such facts as it is worth while even for those who are familiar with them to recall to mind and most profitable for the inexperienced to hear,[*](Thuc. 2.36.4 may be compared.) events of great power to inspire and calling for no tedious length of speech, these I shall endeavor to rehearse in summary fashion.[*](Hyp. 5 ἐπὶ κεφαλαίου.)