How we cite our quotes: (Line)
Quote #10
(Apollo) (to the jurors): "I shall say to you, who are here by Athena's great ordinance, that [the blood of Clytemnestra] was shed justly; and as prophet I shall not lie. I never yet said at my prophetic throne, not about man, not about woman, not about city, except what Zeus the Olympian Father might command. I tell you plainly: understand how strong this just plea is, and heed the Father's will; an oath is in no way stronger than Zeus." (614-621)
Here Apollo makes a different type of argument for the justice of Orestes than the ones we have seen so far. Here, he says what Orestes did was just (a) because Apollo told him to do it, (b) because Apollo never lies, but only say what Zeus "might command," and (c) because whatever Zeus "might command" would be just. (The last point, (c), is just implied by Apollo's words; he doesn't come out and say it directly.)
Now, this last, implied point, actually begs a question. Is what Zeus commands just because Zeus would never command anything other than what is just already… or is what he commands just because he commands it? This brain-teasing question has been part of the history of Western thought for a long time. If reading Aeschylus's play makes you interested in it, you should read Plato's dialogue called the Euthyphro, which treats the problem in some detail. But don't be surprised if even Plato doesn't offer a final answer to this problem…