[Perseus Project]
Andocides On the Mysteries 5 [andoc. 1.5]
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[4] Mine is a case in point. My enemies have been saying, or so I keep
hearing, that I would take to my heels instead of standing my ground. "What
motive could Andocides possibly have for braving so hazardous a trial?"
they argue. "He can count upon a livelihood sufficient for all his needs,
if he does no more than withdraw from Attica; while if he returns to Cyprus
whence he has come, an abundance of good land has been offered him and is
his for the asking. Will a man in his position want to risk his life? What
object could he have in doing so? Cannot he see the state of things in
Athens?"
[5] That entirely misrepresents my feelings, gentlemen. I would never
consent to a life abroad which cut me off from my country, whatever the
advantages attached to it; and although conditions in Athens may be what my
enemies allege, I would sooner be a citizen of her than of any other state
which may appear to me to be just now at the height of prosperity. Those
are the feelings which have led me to place my life in your hands.
[6] I ask you, then, to show more sympathy to me, the defendant, gentlemen,
than to my accusers, in the knowledge that even if you give us an impartial
hearing, the defence is inevitably at a disadvantage. The prosecution have
brought their charge in perfect safety, after elaborating their plans at
leisure; whereas I who am answering that charge am filled with fear; my
life is at stake, and I have been grossly misrepresented. You have good
reason for showing more sympathy to me than you do to my accusers.
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