Demosthenes

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Demosthenes : biography

384 BC – 322 BC

From this moment until 341 BC, all of Demosthenes’ speeches referred to the same issue, the struggle against Philip. In 349 BC, Philip attacked Olynthus, an ally of Athens. In the three Olynthiacs, Demosthenes criticized his compatriots for being idle and urged Athens to help Olynthus.Demosthenes, First Olynthiac, 3; Demosthenes, Second Olynthiac, 3* E.M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 185 He also insulted Philip by calling him a "barbarian". Despite Demosthenes’ strong advocacy, the Athenians would not manage to prevent the falling of the city to the Macedonians. Almost simultaneously, probably on Eubulus’ recommendation, they engaged in a war in Euboea against Philip, which ended in stalemate.Demosthenes, On the Peace, 5* E.M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 185–187

Case of Meidias (348 BC)

In 348 BC a peculiar event occurred: Meidias, a wealthy Athenian, publicly slapped Demosthenes, who was at the time a choregos at the Greater Dionysia, a large religious festival in honour of the god Dionysus. Meidias was a friend of Eubulus and supporter of the unsuccessful excursion in Euboea.Demosthenes, On the Peace, 5* E.M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 174 (note 47) He also was an old enemy of Demosthenes; in 361 BC he had broken violently into his house, with his brother Thrasylochus, to take possession of it.Demosthenes, Against Meidias,

"Just think. The instant this court rises, each of you will walk home, one quicker, another more leisurely, not anxious, not glancing behind him, not fearing whether he is going to run up against a friend or an enemy, a big man or a little one, a strong man or a weak one, or anything of that sort. And why? Because in his heart he knows, and is confident, and has learned to trust the State, that no one shall seize or insult or strike him."
Demosthenes (Against Meidias, 221)—The orator asked the Athenians to defend their legal system, by making an example of the defendant for the instruction of others.J. De Romilly, Ancient Greece against Violence, 113–117

Demosthenes decided to prosecute his wealthy opponent and wrote the judicial oration Against Meidias. This speech gives valuable information about Athenian law at the time and especially about the Greek concept of hybris (aggravated assault), which was regarded as a crime not only against the city but against society as a whole.H. Yunis, The Rhetoric of Law in 4th Century Athens, 206 He stated that a democratic state perishes if the rule of law is undermined by wealthy and unscrupulous men, and that the citizens acquire power and authority in all state affairs due "to the strength of the laws".Demosthenes, Against Meidias, There is no consensus among scholars either on whether Demosthenes finally delivered Against Meidias either on the veracity of Aeschines’ accusation that Demosthenes was bribed to drop the charges.

Peace of Philocrates (347–345 BC)

In 348 BC, Philip conquered Olynthus and razed it to the ground; then conquered the entire Chalcidice and all the states of the Chalcidic federation that Olynthus had once led.Demosthenes, Third Philippic, 56* E.M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 187 After these Macedonian victories, Athens sued for peace with Macedon. Demosthenes was among those who favored compromise. In 347 BC, an Athenian delegation, comprising Demosthenes, Aeschines and Philocrates, was officially sent to Pella to negotiate a peace treaty. In his first encounter with Philip, Demosthenes is said to have collapsed from fright.Aeschines, The Speech on the Embassy, * D.M. MacDowell, Demosthenes the Orator, ch. 12

The ecclesia officially accepted Philip’s harsh terms, including the renouncement of their claim to Amphipolis. However, when an Athenian delegation arrived at Pella to put Phillip under oath, which was required to conclude the treaty, he was campaigning abroad.Demosthenes, Third Philippic, 15* G. Cawkwell, Philip II of Macedon, 102–103 He expected that he would hold safely any Athenian possessions which he might seize before the ratification.Demosthenes, On the Crown, 25–27* G. Cawkwell, Philip II of Macedon, 102–103 Being very anxious about the delay, Demosthenes insisted that the embassy should travel to the place where they would find Philip and swear him in without delay. Despite his suggestions, the Athenian envoys, including himself and Aeschines, remained in Pella, until Philip successfully concluded his campaign in Thrace.Demosthenes, On the Crown, 30* G. Cawkwell, Philip II of Macedon, 102–103