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[4] I was unable to bring a private action (for there were no actions at that time, since you put off all such matters because of the war1), but I indicted him before the Thesmothetae2 on the charge of outrage.3 However, time passed and the indictment was evaded (seeing that actions were not being held), and moreover children were born by my mother to Phormio, and after this (for the whole truth shall be told you, men of the jury), many kindly overtures were made on the part of my mother, and pleas on behalf of this man Phormio, and many overtures on the part of Phormio himself that were both moderate and humble in their terms.

1 The reference is to the hostilities between Athens and Thebes in the period between the battle of Leuctra (371 B.C.) and the battle of Mantinea (362 B.C.).

2 See note a on p. 202 of vol. 1.

3 The ὕβρεως γραφή was a public indictment for wanton outrage. It was a criminal charge, and involved the penalty of a fine payable to the State, or, in extreme cases, even the penalty of death. It was far more serious than a charge of common assault (αἰκείας δίκη). See Dem. 54.1

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    • J. E. Sandys, Select Private Orations of Demosthenes, 2
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