Antiphon: The Speeches - Complete Commentary for Legal and Classical

In this review of Antiphon: The Speeches the reviewer finds a rigorous, scholarly commentary that will appeal to students and scholars of classical Athens. The single biggest reason to buy is that it is the first complete English commentary on Antiphon and the first commentary in any language since 1838, making it essential for anyone serious about Athenian legal oratory and homicide speeches. The volume combines a substantial introduction, a new Greek text and detailed notes that illuminate grammar, rhetoric and law for close reading and classroom use.

Key Features

• First complete English commentary: Provides comprehensive coverage of all six homicide speeches, filling a long-standing gap in English-language scholarship and aiding close textual study.
• Substantial introduction: Offers context on Antiphon's life and the workings of Athenian law, which helps readers understand the legal and historical background of the speeches.
• New Greek text: Presents an updated Greek text alongside the commentary, useful for readers who work with the original language.
• Multiaspect commentary: Discusses grammatical, stylistic, legal, rhetorical and historical matters, supporting readers who need interdisciplinary analysis.
• Scholarly clarity: The notes are detailed enough to support seminar preparation, translation exercises and advanced undergraduate or graduate research.

Who It's For

This edition is aimed squarely at classicists, historians of ancient law and graduate students who require a full English commentary on Antiphon for research or teaching. The combination of a new Greek text and expansive notes makes it particularly valuable for instructors preparing lectures and for researchers comparing legal rhetoric across Athens.

Less suitable for casual readers or those wanting a brief anthology: if the reader prefers a light introduction without detailed grammatical and legal analysis, a general history of classical rhetoric or a selections volume may be a better fit.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Comprehensive English commentary covers all six homicide speeches, a rarity in modern scholarship.
• Useful introduction that clarifies Antiphon's context within Athenian law and legal oratory.
• New Greek text supports students and scholars working with original language sources.
• Detailed notes address grammar, style, rhetoric and legal points, aiding close readings.

Cons

• The work is scholarly and dense, so it may feel heavy for readers seeking a concise overview rather than in-depth analysis.

Specifications

Title	Antiphon: The Speeches (Cambridge Greek and Latin Classics)
Author / Editor	Antiphon; commentary by Michael Gagarin
Contents	Six speeches concerning homicide, introduction, Greek text and commentary
Focus	Grammatical, stylistic, legal, rhetorical and historical commentary
Language	English commentary with new Greek text
Significance	First complete English commentary on Antiphon; first since 1838

Our Verdict

For students, instructors and researchers of classical Athens, this commentary is a must-have resource: it delivers a long-overdue full English treatment of Antiphon with a new Greek text and wide-ranging notes that justify the investment. Those seeking a light introduction should look elsewhere, but for focused study of Athenian legal oratory this volume offers excellent value and scholarly rigor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include the original Greek?
Yes, the volume presents a new Greek text alongside the English commentary.

Is the commentary suitable for classroom use?
Yes, the detailed notes and introduction make it well suited to seminars and graduate-level courses on classical rhetoric and law.

Does it cover all of Antiphon's speeches?
Yes, it provides a commentary on all six of Antiphon's homicide speeches.