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and he was going with the intention of ransoming the captives,The Athenian citizens who had been captured at the fall of Olynthus, and were now in slavery in Macedonia. as he said, and as he has just now told you, although he knew that at no time during the war had Philip exacted ransom-money for any Athenian, and although he had heard all Philip’s friends say that he would release the rest also, if peace should be made. And he was carrying one talent for many unfortunates—sufficient ransom for one man, and not a very well to-do man at that!
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But when we reached Macedonia and found Philip returned from Thrace, we held a meeting;This was a private meeting of the Athenian ambassadors to discuss what they should say to Philip at the coming audience. the decree under which we were acting was read, and we went over the instructions that had been given us in addition to the business of receiving the oaths. But finding that no one mentioned the subjects that were most important, and all were dwelling on minor matters, I spoke words which I must repeat to you.