On the Estate of Astyphilus

When, however, my brother's remains were brought home, the person who claims to have been long ago adopted as his son did not lay them out or bury them, but Astyphilus's friends and companions-in-arms, seeing that my father was ill and I was abroad, themselves laid out the remains and carried out all the other customary rites, and conducted my father, ill though he was, to the tomb, well knowing the affection in which Astyphilus held him. I will produce before you the friends of the deceased, who were amongst those who were present, as witnesses of this.

Witnesses

That Cleon did not bury Astyphilus, even he himself would not deny, and evidence of the fact has been given you. On my return home I found my opponents in enjoyment of the property of the deceased; [I, therefore, sought out Cleon, who informed me that][*](There is a lacuna in the text at this point. “Post τὰ ἐκείνου est lacuna. [Adii Cleonem, qui dixit] suum filium ab Astyphilo adoptatum esse” (Dobree,Adversaria, 1. p. 305).) his son had been adopted by Astyphilus, and that the latter had left a will to this effect in the keeping of Hierocles of Iphistiadae.[*](A deme of the tribe Acamantis, situated on the left bank of the Cephissus.) On hearing this from him I proceeded to the house of Hierocles, knowing full well that he was on terms of the closest possible intimacy with Cleon,