
In his speech *Against Timarchus*, Aeschines accused Timarchus of prostituting himself and wasting his inheritance. These were two of a number of actions which, according to Aeschines, would cause a citizen to lose the right of addressing the Assembly. Timarchus was found guilty and was punished by disenfranchisement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Accusations | Prostitution, wasting his inheritance, bribery, sycophancy, the buying of office, embezzlement, and perjury |
| Outcome | Timarchus was punished by disenfranchisement and sentenced to atimia |
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What You'll Learn

Prostitution
In his speech, *Against Timarchus*, Aeschines accused Timarchus of prostituting himself and wasting his inheritance. Timarchus was tried for these offences in the Areopagus and was ultimately punished by disenfranchisement.
Male prostitution, in particular, was a common practice in ancient Greece and was often associated with pederasty, or sexual relationships between adult men and adolescent boys. It was considered a normal part of social life and was even seen as a way for young men to gain social and political connections. However, it could also be a dangerous and exploitative practice, with young men often forced into prostitution against their will or sold into slavery for the purpose of prostitution.
Female prostitution was also common, although it was often seen as a more shameful practice. Female prostitutes were often considered to be of a lower social status and were subject to even more restrictions and regulations than their male counterparts. They were often forced to work in brothels or on the streets and were vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Overall, prostitution was a significant issue in ancient Greece and was heavily implicated in the case against Timarchus. It was seen as a serious offence that could result in the loss of civic rights, and it was closely associated with other crimes and excessive or immoral behaviour.
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Squandering his inheritance
In his speech *Against Timarchus*, Aeschines accused Timarchus of wasting his inheritance, along with prostitution, bribery, sycophancy, the buying of office, embezzlement, and perjury.
Aeschines' speech provides evidence of actions that would cause a citizen to lose the right of addressing the Assembly. Timarchus was accused of two of these forbidden acts: prostitution and wasting his inheritance.
The accusation of wasting his inheritance was one of the reasons Timarchus was put on trial of Areopagus. Aeschines won the case, and Timarchus was punished by disenfranchisement. He was sentenced to *atimia* and politically destroyed.
The details of how Timarchus squandered his inheritance are not known. However, Aeschines emphasised his disgust with Timarchus' excessive lifestyle. This suggests that Timarchus may have spent his inheritance on lavish and extravagant pursuits.
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Bribery
In his speech *Against Timarchus*, Aeschines accuses Timarchus of several acts that would cause a citizen to lose the right of addressing the Assembly. Among these accusations are charges of bribery, which Aeschines claims Timarchus engaged in to further his political ambitions.
Aeschines alleges that Timarchus bribed individuals to gain influence and advance his career. This act of bribery was considered a serious offence in ancient Athens, where citizens were expected to uphold high standards of integrity and honesty in public life. By engaging in bribery, Timarchus was seen as corrupting the political process and undermining the principles of democracy.
The specific laws that Timarchus broke according to Aeschines are not explicitly stated in the sources. However, it is clear that bribery was considered a grave violation of the ethical standards expected of citizens, particularly those seeking to participate in public life. Aeschines' speech highlights the importance placed on integrity and transparency in Athenian democracy, and the severe consequences that could result from engaging in corrupt practices.
The consequences of Timarchus' actions were indeed severe. As a result of Aeschines' accusations, Timarchus was punished by disenfranchisement, meaning he lost his political rights and was politically destroyed. This punishment underscores the seriousness with which the Athenians viewed bribery and corruption, and serves as a warning to others who might consider engaging in similar practices.
Overall, the case of Timarchus as presented by Aeschines provides valuable insight into the ethical standards and legal consequences of bribery in ancient Athens. It demonstrates the importance placed on maintaining the integrity of the democratic process and the severe penalties that could be imposed on those who sought to undermine it through corrupt practices.
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Embezzlement
In his speech *Against Timarchus*, Aeschines accused Timarchus of being unfit to involve himself in public life. Aeschines charged Timarchus with two forbidden acts: prostituting himself and wasting his inheritance. Timarchus was also accused of bribery, sycophancy, the buying of office, embezzlement, and perjury. Embezzlement is a type of theft that involves the misappropriation of funds or property that have been entrusted to someone. In this case, Timarchus was accused of embezzling public funds, which is a serious crime that can lead to significant penalties, including imprisonment. Embezzlement is often committed by people in positions of power or trust, such as politicians or business executives, who have access to large amounts of money or valuable assets. It involves secretly taking or transferring money or property for personal gain, often over a long period of time. In Timarchus' case, it is likely that he was accused of embezzling funds while serving as an ambassador to Philip II of Macedon. This would have been considered a betrayal of the public trust and a violation of the laws governing the handling of public finances. As a result of these accusations, Timarchus was politically destroyed and sentenced to atimia, which involved the loss of certain civil rights and privileges. This punishment demonstrates the seriousness with which embezzlement was viewed in ancient Greek society and the severe consequences that could result from such actions.
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Perjury
In his speech *Against Timarchus*, Aeschines accused Timarchus of several acts that would cause a citizen to lose the right to address the Assembly. These included prostituting himself, wasting his inheritance, bribery, sycophancy, the buying of office, embezzlement, and perjury.
The exact nature of Timarchus' alleged perjury is not clear from Aeschines' speech. However, it is likely that he was accused of making false statements or providing misleading testimony during the course of the trial. This could have included denying any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged misconduct, or providing a false alibi for his actions.
The consequences of perjury were severe in ancient Athens, and it was considered a serious breach of the law. As such, Aeschines' accusation of perjury against Timarchus would have carried significant weight and contributed to the case against him. Ultimately, Aeschines won the case, and Timarchus was punished by disenfranchisement, or atimia, which politically destroyed him.
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Frequently asked questions
Aeschines accused Timarchus of prostituting himself and wasting his inheritance.
Timarchus was punished by disenfranchisement.
Aeschines also accused Timarchus of bribery, sycophancy, the buying of office, embezzlement, and perjury.
























