Harpalus affair
event · 2 works · 2 mentions · 2 anchored passages
Harpalus's flight and bribery attempts · the notorious decision · trial concerning Harpalus's money
in the texts
Letters
The accusation and legal proceeding concerning money allegedly received from Harpalus, which Demosthenes denies and which he cites as the basis of his conviction and exile.
Neither will you ever show that I received money from Harpalus, for neither was I tried and proved guilty nor did I take money, and if you are looking for excuse to the notorious decision of the Council or to the Areopagus, recall to mind the trial of Aristogeiton and hide your heads in shame;
Phocion
Episode in which the fugitive treasurer Harpalus attempted to bribe Athenian politicians, contrasting Phocion's incorruptibility with others' venality.
Of Charicles, however, Phocion’s son-in-law, Harpalus made an intimate associate and friend, trusting him in everything and using him in everything, and thus covered him with infamy.
And when Harpalus, who had run away from Alexander out of Asia with great sums of money, landed in Attica, and those who were wont to make merchandise of their influence as orators came running to him at breakneck speed, to these men he dropped and scattered small morsels of his wealth by way of bait;
But Phocion answered sharply that Harpalus would rue it if he did not cease trying to corrupt the city, and for the time being the traitor was abashed and desisted from his efforts.