Thread 5

Philippos (8/27/99 3:12:07 am) Time for judgement - Antigonus

Hail fellow councillors, I feel we have gathered all that there is to know, and that the mystery may be unravelled soon.

Here are my thoughts upon this matter:

The oracle tells of a statue of the sleeping Zeus stolen from a temple on Crete, and warns that temple guards will pursue and kill the thief.

A curious priest arrives, claiming to be Athenian, but was seen outside the town with a bow - surely a Cretan weapon. He also has a slate statue of a sleeping Zeus - maybe this was the stolen golden statue, covered with the black wax found on the floor of the tavern room where the priest stayed?

Why would he have brought the statue to Corcyra? Why, to sell to Antigonus, famed for his collection of Minoan statues - indeed, Demetrius tells that Antigonus withdrew a large sum of money days before - perhaps to pay for the stolen statue? It could be that the empty plinth in his house was awaiting the statue...

Antigonus seems in good spirits now, celebrating with his friends.

Philippos (8/27/99 3:30:08 am) But what of Bachylides?

Demetrius has told us of the financial problems facing Bachylides, and this could explain his poor performance and rapid exit from town - without paying his tavern bill.

However, we know that he was recently on Crete and he stayed in the same tavern as the priest. This is pure conjecture, but it is possible that he entered the priest's room, scraped a little wax from the statue, discovered it was gold - and stole it to pay for his debts!

This could account for his nerves - after all, money troubles and actors go together like wine and olives! He may have even spotted the priest in the audience.

Philippos (8/27/99 3:35:30 am) The role of Themistocles

When Themistocles heard there was an Athenian priest in Corcyra, he would be bound to ask him questions - and with his sore throat he would need the Hawthorn remedy to talk. We know that Themistocles was in the theatre with the priest, and given that the "priest" was really a thief, it is likely that his answers would have been evasive - maybe enough so to convince Themistocles that this was the corrupt priest who killed his wife. He may be old, but revenge can strengthen even the weakest arm.

I think that it was old Themistocles who killed the priest, guided by the vengance of Zeus.

Philippos (8/27/99 3:41:35 am) After the murder

Antigonus had arranged to meet the priest at the back of the theatre to purchase the stolen statue - but when he arrived, the priest was dead! He may be in high spirits now because he has not bought a cursed statue - may he be more cautious in the future...

As for Bachylides, since he was in Crete he may know of the theft of the statue and may be on his way back there to return it swiftly, avoid Zeus's wrath and maybe even earn a reward.

I think we must bring both Antigonus and Themistocles before the council and question them closely to determine the truth of this matter, for indeed all we have is a Web of circumstance that has no proof in it.

I have spoken, now the floor is yours.

May Athena guide our words and actions.

Isodice (8/27/99 5:53:17 am) Re: The role of Themistocles

These are brave words, Phillipos. I would say this- is it likely that B would have spotted the priest in the audience - he was sitting at the back of the theatre. On the subject of Themistocles, his thoughts on Athenian priests are well known - a fine subject if someone wanted to deflect suspicion.

Herodotus (8/28/99 2:16:06 pm)

Both men

Could not both men be guilty. Could this not have been a plot so both get what they desire - the actor his money and Antigonus his statue. This could have been planned between the two of them. If Bacchyliddes was not acting on that night, he must have had an ally to take his place - Antigonus?

Isodice (8/29/99 2:26:31 am) Re: Both men

I think this is possible - the replacing actor seems to have been particularly poor. However, Antigonus has an empty plinth - suggesting he doesn't have the statue - though he could be concealing it.

Are we moving towards agreement that Bacchyliddes was the one who is most likely to have committed the murder? If that is so are there suggestions as to the hawthorn's role in all this?