Demosthenes (384-322 B.C.)

1. Demosthenes (384-322 B.C.) Athenian statesman, recognized as the greatest of ancient Greek orators, who roused Athens to oppose Philip of Macedon and, later, his son Alexander the Great.

2. 363 BC: Lawsuit against Aphobus • Demosthenes’ father, a sword maker, died when he was 7. • When Demosthenes came of age little of his large inheritance was left. • Successfully sued his guardians. Although he received little compensation, it was his first crucial experience as an orator.

3. Logographer • Athenians spoke for themselves in the law courts but often hired experts to write their speeches. • Demosthenes performance against his former guardians was noted and he was soon acquired wealthy and powerful clients.

4. 354 BC: ‘On the Navy Boards’ • Demosthenes’ first major speech to the Assembly • In the face of a rumoured threat from Persia, Demosthenes urged the Athenians to build up their navy.

5. 351 BC: The First Philippic • 356 - Philip captured Amphipolis, an Athenian possession in Thrace, after hoodwinking the Athenians with promises to protect the city. • 354 – Philip took Methone, another Athenian possession. • Demosthenes unsuccessfully urged the Assembly to take a stand against Macedonian expansionism.

6. 349 BC: The Olynthiacs • 3 stirring speeches aimed at eliciting support for Olynthus, a city in the Chalcidice threatened by Philip • The city fell to Philip in 348 BC (and did not receive any Athenian help).

7. 346 BC: Peace of Philocrates • Peace agreement between Philip and the Athenians • Demosthenes was one of the ambassadors who met Philip. • Philip sidelined Demosthenes and dealt more directly with another Athenian ambassador, Aeschines.

8. 346 BC: On the Peace • Condemned the treaty with Philip but accepted it had to be honoured

9. 344 BC: The Second Philippic • Philip had continued his tactic of sewing division between the other Greek city-states. • Athenian embassy to the Peloponnesus, including Demosthenes, sought to enlist support against Philip. • In response to Philip’s protests, Demosthenes argued Philip had not kept his word and that Aeschines had lulled the Athenians into a false sense of security.

10. 343 BC: ‘The False Legation’ • Accused Aeschines of rendering false reports, giving bad counsel, disobeying instructions, and being susceptible to bribery. • The court, however, acquitted Aeschines.

11. 341 BC: The Third Philippic • Tension on the Chersonese • "Philip is at war with us and has broken the peace.“ • As a result of the success of his speech, Demosthenes becomes controller of the navy and could thus carry out the naval reforms he had proposed in 354. • Anti-Philip alliance formed with other cities, including Thebes and Byzantium

12. 338 BC: The Battle of Chaeronea • According to Plutarch, Demosthenes was in the battle but fled after dropping his arms. • Demosthenes chosen to deliver the funeral oration over the bodies of those slain in the battle. • Athenian defeat although Philip acted with restraint

13. 330 BC: On the Crown • Aeschines accused Demosthenes’ friend, Ctesiphon, of impropriety for nominating Demosthenes for a gold crown • Demosthenes: "Your policies supported our enemy, mine, our country's.“ • Aeschines failed to receive even 1/5th of the vote.

14. 324 BC: Exile • Accused of taking 20 talents deposited in Athens by Harpalus, a refugee from Alexander. Demosthenes was found guilty, fined 50 talents, and imprisoned. • His escape from prison made it impossible for him to return to Athens

15. 323/ 22 BC: Recall and Death • On Alexander’s death, an anti-Macedonian faction rose up in Athens and recalled Demosthenes. • Alexander’s regent, Antipater, descended on Athens. • Demosthenes suicided while fleeing Antipater.

16. Demosthenes (384-322 B.C.), James J. Murphy Accessed 16/10/2012 at http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/imperialism/notes/demosthenes.html