ANDOCIDES, one of the "ten" Attic orators, was born
about 440 B.C. Implicated in the mutilation of the Hermae
(415), although he saved his life by turning informer, he
was condemned to partial loss of civil rights and went into
exile. He engaged in commercial pursuits, and after two
unsuccessful attempts returned to
Athens under the general
amnesty that followed the restoration of the democracy (403),
and filled some important offices. In 391 he was one of the
ambassadors sent to Sparta to discuss peace terms, but the
negotiations failed, and after this time we hear no more of
him. Oligarchical in his sympathies, he offended his own party
and was distrusted by the democrats. Andocides was no professional
orator; his style is simple and lively, natural but inartistic.
Speeches extant:--De Reditu, plea for his return and
removal of civil disabilities; De Mysteriis, defence
against the charge of impiety in attending the Eleusinian
mysteries; De Pace, advocating peace with Sparta; Contra
Alcibiadem, generally considered spurious. Text:--Blass,
1880, Lipsius, 1888; De Myst., with notes by Hickie, 1885;
De Red. and De Myst., with notes by Marchant, 1889; see
Jebb, Attic Orators; L. L. Forman, Index Andocideus, 1897.
Initial text from 1911 encyclopedia -- Please update as needed