On the Property of Aristophanes: Against the Treasury

Demus, son of Pyrilampes,[*](This Demus has been famous in youth for his beauty: cf. Aristoph. Wasps 98, Plat. Gorg. 481d, Plat. Gorg. 513b.) who was equipping a warship for Cyprus, requested me to go to Aristophanes; he said he had received a gold cup as a credential from the Great King, and would give it to Aristophanes in pledge for sixteen minae, so as to have means for equipping his warship; when he got to Cyprus, he would redeem it with a payment of twenty minae, since on the strength of that credential he would then obtain plenty of goods and also money all over the continent.

Then Aristophanes, on hearing this proposal from Demus and a request from me,—although he was to have the gold cup in his hands and receive four minae as interest,— said that it was impossible, and he swore that he had already gone elsewhere to borrow more for these foreigners; since, but for that, nobody alive, he declared, would have been more delighted than he to take that credential forthwith and to comply with our request.

To show the truth of this, I will produce to you witnesses.

Witnesses

So then, that Aristophanes did not leave any silver or gold is easily concluded from what I have stated and from these testimonies. Of fine[*](Containing an admixture of gold and silver.) bronze plate he possessed but little: when he was entertaining the envoys of Evagoras, he had to use what he could borrow. The list of the pieces that he left shall be read to you.

Inventory of Bronze PlatePerhaps to some of you, gentlemen of the jury, they appear few: but bear in mind the fact that before Conon won his victory at sea,[*](At Cnidus, 394 B.C.) Aristophanes had no land except a small plot at Rhamnus.[*](A district of Attica.) Now the sea-fight occurred in the archonship of Eubulides;