Theoris of Lemnos

[6] It was this man [Eunomus, brother of Aristogeiton] who took the potions and incantations from the maidservant of Theoris of Lemnos, the filthy sorceress whom you executed for these things, both her and all her family.

[10] Plutarch's account of the case seems to conflate the story of Theoris with that of another woman mentioned in the speeches of Demosthenes, Ninos, who was executed in the 350s or 340s BC – apparently for performing rites which mocked the Dionysian mysteries.

Demosthenes describes her as a pharmakis, literally a provider of drugs and potions, but in this context meaning a witch or sorceress,[20] and Philochorus calls her a mantis or 'seer'.

[25] According to Demosthenes it was for casting incantations and using harmful drugs;[23] Philochorus reports that she was charged with asebeia (impiety);[12] and Plutarch says that she was convicted of "committing many misdeeds and teaching the slaves to deceive".

[26] Most of the scholarly attention to the case of Theoris has focused on identifying the exact charge which was brought against her, which is complicated by the brevity of and inconsistencies between the three ancient sources which discuss her.

[29] Derek Collins suggests that Theoris was probably charged with this crime, intentional homicide by poisoning.

[35] However, Collins argues that this was not the case, as aside from Theoris there is no evidence for the prosecution of witches in classical Athens.

[37] Esther Eidinow suggests that Theoris's offences were more to do with offending religious or social sensibilities.