Leocrates

Leocrates was a citizen of Athens. He was a blacksmith by trade and it is known that he employed a number of slaves in his forge. After he heard the news that Philip of Macedonia, the father of famous Alexander the Great defeated the Athenians in the battle at Chaeronea (338) he decided to leave Athens. He first went for Rhodes, and after that he settled at Megara. There he lived for the following five years and was active as a trader in corn. By his order, his estate along with the slaves was sold to his brothers in law Amyntas and Timochares. The slaves are sold for 3,500 drachmae. The reason for such a decision could be a decreased need for weapons after the peace with Philip the Macedonian was concluded. Although it was expected that he will stay in Megara, suddenly he returned to Athens.

Lycurgus, a leading politician at the time who held a powerful position supervising Athenian finances, brought a charge of treason against him because of his flight eight years ago. He escaped conviction by one vote.