[18] Plat. Menex. pp. 242-243.
[19] Plat. Menex. pp. 243-244.
[20] Plat. Menex. pp. 244-245. 244 E: εἴ τις βούλοιτο τῆς πόλεως κατηγορῆσαι δικαίως, τοῦτ’ ἂν μόνον λέγων ὀρθῶς ἂν κατηγοροίη, ὡς ἀεὶ λίαν φιλοικτίρμων ἐστί, καὶ τοῦ ἥττονος θεραπίς. Isokrates also, in the Oratio Panegyrica (Or. iv.), dwells upon this point, as well as on the pronounced hatred towards βάρβαροι, as standing features in the Athenian character (sect. 59-184). The points touched upon in reference to Athens by Isokrates are in the main the same as those brought out by Plato in the Menexenus, only that Isokrates makes them subservient to a special purpose, that of bringing about an expedition against Persia under the joint headship of Sparta and Athens.
[21] Plat. Menex. p. 245.
[22] Plat. Menex. pp. 245 E, 246 A.
Consolation and exhortation to surviving relatives.
Having thus touched upon the political history of Athens, he turns to the surviving relatives — fathers, mothers, children, &c. — of the fallen warriors: addressing to them words of mingled consolation and exhortation. He adopts the fiction of supposing these exhortations to have been suggested to him by the warriors themselves, immediately before entering upon their last battle.[23] This is the most eloquent and impressive portion of the harangue. The orator concludes by a few words from himself, inculcating on the elders the duty of resignation, and on the youth that of forward and devoted patriotism.[24]
[23] Plat. Menex. pp. 247-248.
[24] Plat. Menex. p. 249 A-C.
Admiration felt for this harangue, both at the time and afterwards.