A) Aeschylus, Eumenides 470-489
The case is too great, if any mortal thinks that he will pass judgment [dikê] on it; no, it is not right even for me to set the penalties [dikai] for murder that is followed by quick mênis, especially since you had already performed the necessary rites, and when you came to my temple you were a pure and harmless suppliant; 475 so I respect you, since you do not bring offence to my city. Yet these women have a duty that is not to be dismissed lightly; and if they do not win this case, the venom of their phrenes will fall upon the ground, an intolerable, perpetual plague.

These are the choices: either to let them stay or to drive them away - both are disastrous and impossible. But since this case has been brought here, I will select homicide judges who will be bound by oath, and I will establish this tribunal for all time. 485 Summon your witnesses, collect your arguments, and the sworn evidence to support your case [dikê]. I will come back, after I sort out the best of my townsmen, and then they will decide this case on the basis of truth, after they take an oath that they will give a verdict with phrenes of dikê.

B) Aeschylus, Eumenides 681-695
Comply with my decree now, people of Attica, as you judge the first trial [dikai] for bloodshed. In the future this council of jurors will always exist for the people of Aegeus. 685 And this Hill of Ares [Areopagus], which was the position and the camp of the Amazons when they came here because of a grudge against Theseus, and they invaded with their army, and built a newly-founded rival polis with high towers, and dedicated their city to Ares; the name of this rock comes from that event; 690 it is called the Hill of Ares. The townsmen's reverence for this hill - and fear, her kinsman - will prevent them from acting unjustly both day and night alike, so long as my citizens do not revise their laws [nomoi] by adding evil to them; if you pollute clear water with filth, 695 you will never find a drink.

C) Aeschylus, Eumenides 734-741
It is my duty to decide the last judgment [dikê], 735 and I cast my vote for Orestes. For there was no mother who gave me birth. In every way I approve what is male, with all my thûmos. I am very much on the father's side. Therefore, I will not award greater tîmê to the death of a woman 740 who killed her husband, the guardian of the house. Orestes wins, even if he is judged by an equal vote.

 

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