SOURCE: Gagarin, Michael. “The Nature of Proofs in Antiphon.” Classical Philology 85, no. 1 (January 1990): 22-32.

In the following essay, Gagarin examines Antiphon's use of evidentiary and argumentative proofs in the trial of law cases.

In discussing the revolution of the 400 in 411 b. c.., Thucydides (8. 68) gives us a brief description of one of its leaders, Antiphon of Rhamnus:

Of all the Athenians of his day Antiphon was second to none in virtue and had the greatest power both in intellect and in the expression of his thoughts. He did not come forward in public or willingly enter any dispute, being regarded with suspicion by the multitude because of his reputation for cleverness (δι
F70x; δόξαν δεινότητος). Nevertheless, for those involved in a dispute, whether legal or political, he alone was most able to help whoever consulted him for advice.

When the 400 were overthrown, Antiphon was tried, convicted, and sentenced to death, but...