s insist much on the
calumny with which he defames the Alcmaeonidae, some of whom were both
the greatest families and noblest men of the city. But the greatness
of the victory itself is overthrown, and the end of that so celebrated
action comes to nothing, nor does it seem to have been a fight or any
great exploit, but only a light skirmish with the barbarians, as the
envious and ill-willers affirm, if they did not after the battle fly
away, cutting their cables and giving themselves to the wind, to carry
them as far as might be from the Attic coast, but having a shield lifted
up to them as a signal of treason, made straight with their fleet for
Athens, in hope to surprise it, and having at leisure doubled the point
of Sunium, were discovered above the port Phalerum, so that the chief
and most illustrious men, despairing to save the city would have
betrayed it. For a little after, acquitting the Alcmaeonidae, he charges
others with the treason. "For the shield indeed was shown, nor can it
be denied," says he, as if he had seen it himself. But this could no
way be, since the Athenians obtained a solid victory; and if it had been
done, it could not have been seen by the barbarians, flying in a hurry
amidst wounds and arrows into their ships, and leaving every one the
place with all possible speed. But when he again pretends to excuse the
Alcmaeonidae of those crimes which he first of all men objected against
them, and speaks thus: "I cannot credit the report that the Alcmaeonidae
by agreement would ever have lifted up a shield to the Persians,
and have brought the Athenians under the power of the barbarians and
Hippias"; it reminds me of a certain proverbial saving,--Stay and be
caught, crab, and I'll let you go. For why art thou so eager to catch
him, if thou wilt let him go when he is caught? Thus you first accuse,
then apologize; and you write calumnies against illustrious men, which
again you refute. And you discredit yourself; for you heard no one
else but yourself say that the Alcmaeonidae lifted up a shield to the
vanquished and flying barbarians. And in those very things which you
allege for the Alcmaeonidae, you show yourself a sycophant. For if, as
here you write, the Alcmaeonidae were more or no less enemies to tyrants
than Callias, the son of Phaenippus and father of Hipponicus, where will
you place their conspiracy, of which you write in your First Book, that
assisting Pisistratus they brought him back from exi