Hyperides 3
Epicrates: the plaintiff, young farmer who had brought a private suit for damages against Athenogenes
Athenogenes: the defendent, resident alien (metic) of Egyptian origin, sells perfumes, and owns three shops, one of which managed by his slave Midas and his two sons.
Midas: the slave whose sons Epicrates takes a like too
Antigone: the famous prostitute (hetaira)
the Basics of the Speech:
-Epicrates took a liking to one of Midas' sons and comes to Athenogenes to set the boys free.
-According to Epicrates, Athenogenes would not accept Epicrates offer until he had agreed to buy and set free the boy's borther and father.
-then Athenogenes enlisted the service of his former mistress Antigone to persuade Epicrates to accept the boy's request to buy the whole family
-Epicrates ended buying all three slaves, and inherently assumed the responsibility of a massive debt.He signed the sales contract without reading it
-Epicrates discovered that he owed more than five talents to creditors and to friends. Quickly noted that the contract signed did not list out the debts assumed.
-Epicrates met Athenogenes in the agora and a heated debate followed where Athenogenes refused to make any concessions and stuck by the contract.
-Epicrates ends up suing Athenogenes for damages to cover the debts
Concept of Law in this case:
-in Athens, a sale's agreement did not have to be included with the sale, but in this case, Athenogenes included a written agreement (legally binding) to ensure that Epicrates assumed responsibiltiy for any debts previously accumulated by the s;aves who ran the perfume shop.
-laws existed to protect the buyer against fraud and any misrepresentation by the seller. if seller did not inform buyer of the defects of a slave during the sale, the buyer had the right to demand his money back and return the slave.
-Epicrates must prove that the agreement made between him and Athenogenes was unjust.