A name of a public lawsuit. There are three kinds of impeachments. One is for major crimes against the people which allow no deferral and for which there is neither a [sc. competent] magistracy established nor laws laying down the officials through whom [the cases] are put before [a jurycourt]; instead, the initial formulation [of the charge] goes to the council or the people; here heavy fines are imposed on the defendant, if convicted, whereas the unsuccessful plaintiff is not punished unless he fails to secure the fifth part of the votes; for in that event he pays a thousand [drachmas]; long ago these men too used to be punished more severely. Another [kind of] impeachment is mentioned [which] applies to maltreatment; these go to the archon, and the [unsuccessful] plaintiff incurs no penalty even if he does not secure the fifth part of the votes. A different [sort of] impeachment [is brought] against arbitrators. For if someone is wronged by an arbitrator he is allowed to impeach the man before the jurors; and if [the defendant] is convicted he loses his citizen rights. However, Isaeus [in] On the estate itself named the same procedure "impeachment" and "public prosecution".[1]
"This affair [is] plainly in accordance with the decree of Kannonos: I must fuck you divided into two". For this decree had stipulated that a man on trial in an impeachment should plead his defence with both hands tied behind his back.[2]
And elsewhere: "a penalty of an impeachment having a monetary [valuation] of fifty thousand of silver".[4]