Case Against Athenogenes Essay

The case Against Athenogenes was a dispute over an agreement for the sale of slaves. The individuals involved in the case are Epicrates, a citizen of Athens and Athenogenes, a metic from Egypt. Epicrates was the plantiff, he brought the case against Athenogenes, the defendant. This was a private suit covering the damages caused by Athenogenes in the agreement. A hetaira named Antigone helped complete the agreement between Epicrates and Athenogenes (5). Epicrates had an interest in one slave boy, but this slave had some requests if he is purchased by Epicrates. The requests in regards of the slave are for his father and brother to follow him in the agreement. Despite this Athenogenes was also reluctant too make any deal, but that reluctance disappeared. Athenogenes wrote up an agreement and reviewed it with Epicrates. After the review of the agreement Epicrates …show more content…
The undisclosed debt made Epicrates believe the agreement with Athenogenes is unjust (4), (8). With the unjust agreement Epicrates claims it should be unbinding. After feeling wronged Epicrates found Athenogenes in the agora to have a discussion. It didn't take long to learn about the debts of Midas, so Athenogenes must have known of them. But, Athenogenes denied knowledge of the debts owed to creditors. Which forces Epicrates to believe he had just lied in the agora. This lie adds to the claims of Athenogenes not abiding by the law. Athenogenes also failed to inform Epicrates about Midas epilepsy. The law states failure to disclose physical defects in a sale should allow the return of the slave. Epicrates also accuses Athenogenes to be guilty of conspiracy. The accusation based on the hetaira's involvement in the agreement Epicrates states he was under the influence of the hetaira and tricked him into the agreement. This argument is only used on the validity of a will, but Epicrates believes it can apply to the agreement he