The First Philippic

​I propose a force of this size, men of Athens, for this reason: because it is not possible for us now to provide a force capable of meeting him in open battle, but we must engage in privateering and use this method of warfare at first. Therefore, the force must be neither excessively large (for there is no pay or maintenance) nor completely insignificant.

​And I bid citizens to be present and sail with them for this reason: because I hear that formerly the city maintained a mercenary force in Corinth, which Polystratus commanded, and Iphicrates, and Chabrias, and some others, and that you yourselves served with them. And I know by report that these mercenaries, drawing up in battle array with you, and you with them, defeated the Lacedaemonians. But ever since your mercenary forces have been campaigning by themselves, they defeat your friends and allies, while your enemies have become stronger than they should be. And after merely glancing at the city’s war, they sail away to Artabazus or anywhere else, and the general follows them, naturally; for it is not possible to command without giving pay.

​What then do I bid? To take away all excuses both from the general and from the soldiers, by providing pay and placing citizen soldiers alongside them as observers, as it were, of the general’s actions. For as things are now, our conduct of affairs is a laughing-stock. If someone were to ask you, “Are you at peace, men of Athens?” “No, by Zeus,” you would say, “we are at war with Philip.”

​Did you not elect from among yourselves ten taxiarches and generals, and phylarches, and two hipparches? What then do these do? Except for one man whom you send out to the war, the rest conduct the processions for you along with the officers of sacrifice. For just like those who mold clay figures, you elect your taxiarches and phylarches for the marketplace, not for the war.

​Ought there not to have been, men of Athens, taxiarches from among yourselves, a hipparch from among yourselves, and your own domestic officers, so that the force might truly belong to the city? But now the hipparch elected from among you must sail to Lemnos, while Menelaus acts as hipparch for those who are fighting for the possessions of our city. I do not say this to find fault with the man, but whoever he may be, he ought to have been elected by you.

​Perhaps you think these things are said correctly, but you most of all long to hear about the money, how much it will be and from what source. I will proceed to finish this. As for money, then: the maintenance, for food alone, for this force is ninety talents and a little more; forty talents for ten swift ships, which is twenty minae a month for each ship; and for two thousand soldiers, another forty talents, so that each soldier may receive ten drachmae a month for food; and for the two hundred cavalry, if each receives thirty drachmae a month, twelve talents.

​And if anyone thinks that it is a small starting fund for the soldiers to have only food provided, he is mistaken; for I know clearly that, if this is done, the army itself will provide the rest from the war, without doing injustice to any of the Greeks or allies, so as to have full pay. I am ready to sail with them as a volunteer and suffer any fate, if this is not so. Whence then is the provision of money which I bid you provide? I will tell you now.

​PROOF OF FUNDS. These, men of Athens, are the funds we have been able to find. And when you vote on the proposals, if they please you, you will pass them, so that you may carry on war with Philip not only in your decrees and letters, but also in your deeds.