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[4] And still again, as choregus, or theatrical manager, he won a victory with tragedies, although even at that early time this contest was conducted with great eagerness and ambition and set up a tablet commemorating his victory with the following inscription: ‘Themistocles the Phrearrhian was Choregus; Phrynichus was Poet; Adeimantus was Archon.’ 1

However, he was on good terms with the common folk, partly because he could call off-hand the name of every citizen, and partly because he rendered the service of a safe and impartial arbitrator in cases of private obligation and settlement out of court; and so he once said to Simonides of Ceos, who had made an improper request from him when he was magistrate: ‘You would not be a good poet if you should sing contrary to the measure; nor I a clever magistrate if I should show favour contrary to the law.’

1 476 B.C.

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