Leptines ( grc-gre, Λεπτίνης) was an
Athenian orator
An orator, or oratist, is a public speaker, especially one who is eloquent or skilled.
Etymology
Recorded in English c. 1374, with a meaning of "one who pleads or argues for a cause", from Anglo-French ''oratour'', Old French ''orateur'' (14th ...
. He is known as the proposer of a
law that no Athenian, whether citizen or resident alien (with the sole exception of the descendants of
Harmodius and Aristogeiton), should be exempt from the public charges (''
leitourgiai'') for the state festivals.
The object was to provide funds for the festivals and public spectacles at a time when both the treasury and the citizens generally were short of money. It was further asserted that many of the recipients of immunity were really unworthy of it. Against this law
Demosthenes
Demosthenes (; el, Δημοσθένης, translit=Dēmosthénēs; ; 384 – 12 October 322 BC) was a Greek statesman and orator in ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual pro ...
delivered (354 BC) his well-known speech "
Against Leptines" in support of the proposal of
Ctesippus that all the cases of immunity should be carefully investigated. Great stress is laid on the reputation for ingratitude and breach of faith which the abolition of immunities would bring upon the state.
Besides, the law itself had been passed unconstitutionally, for an existing law confirmed these privileges, and by the constitution of
Solon
Solon ( grc-gre, Σόλων; BC) was an Athenian statesman, constitutional lawmaker and poet. He is remembered particularly for his efforts to legislate against political, economic and moral decline in Archaic Athens.Aristotle ''Politic ...
no law could be enacted until any existing law which it contravened had been repealed. The law was probably condemned. Nothing further is known of Leptines.
See the edition of the speech by
JE Sandys (1890).
References
* {{1911, wstitle=Leptines, volume=16, page=481
4th-century BC Athenians
Ancient Greek rhetoricians