Demosthenes is one of the most famous orators of ancient times, and many of his speeches were preserved and studied by students of rhetoric for hundreds of years. He lived some years after the Golden age of Athens in a period of decline, and constantly exhorted his fellow-citizens to return to their former habits of courage and self-reliance, but to little avail. His great nemesis was Philip II of Macedonia, who during the lifetime of Demosthenes was slowly becoming an over-lord of all of Greece using both military and diplomatic methods. Demosthenes warned against acquiescing to Philip, but failed to inspire his townsmen to act until it was too late.
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In around 357 B.C. Athens became involved in a Social War with some of her colonies. At nearly the same time, the Sacred War broke out between Thebes and Phocis. Philip II used both of these conflicts to increase his influence over northern Greece and several of Athens' allies in the Aegean. Demosthenes saw the danger of Philip's designs early and began delivering speeches warning of the Macedonian threat, but many of his fellow-citizens were willing to make alliances with Philip in order to oppose Thebes and avoid going to war. Philip's encroachments and Demosthenes' warnings persisted for many years before the fatal Battle of Chaeronea, after which Athens submitted to an alliance under terms highly favorable to Macedonia. For the next twelve years, Demosthenes had no real choice but to submit to Macedonian rule, and only by the intervention of a well respected general was he spared permanent exile. On the death of Alexander in 323 B.C. however, he helped inspire a rebellion against Macedonia. When the rebellion was put down, he fled to a temple and there ended his own life.
Demosthenes is born in Athens. | |
Sues his guardians for mismanagement of his estate. | |
Trained to become an orator and a lawyer. | |
Sacred War begins between Thebes and Phocis. | |
Began to be involved in politics. | |
Gave first 'Philippic' protesting Macedonian seizure of the Athens colony of Amphipolis. | |
Peace of Philocrates between Athens and Macedonia ends the Sacred War. | |
Presented Second 'Philippic'; traveled to Peloponnese to break up Philip's alliances. | |
Delivered Third 'Philippic', which tried to rouse the Athenians to resist Philip. | |
Athens and Thebes lose to Macedonia at the Battle of Chaeronea. | |
Death of Philip of Macedonia. | |
Death of Alexander the Great. | |
Involved in Greek rebellion against Macedonia, which was put down at the Battle of Crannon. | |
Suicide of Demosthenes. |
Image Links | ||
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![]() Demosthenes in The Story of the Greeks |
![]() The temple where Demosthenes died, Hoffman in Famous Men of Greece |
![]() The Death of Demosthenes in Greatest Nations - Greece |
![]() Demosthenes in Back Matter |
![]() Demosthenes practicing oratory in Back Matter |
![]() Demosthenes in exile in Stories from Greek History |
![]() He left the assembly, hiding his face in his cloak. in The Story of Greece |
![]() Demosthenes (From a statue in the Vatican Gallery at Rome.) in The Story of the Greek People |
![]() Death of Demosthenes. in The Story of the Greek People |
![]() Demosthenes (From a statue in the Vatican Gallery at Rome.) in Old World Hero Stories |
![]() Death of Demosthenes. in Old World Hero Stories |
Used statesmanship as well as military force to bring Greece under sway of Macedonia. | |
Greatest general of ancient times. Conquered Persian Empire with 40,000 soldiers. | |
Aeschines | Political rival of Demosthenes, who was a supporter of Philip of Macedonia. |
Athenian statesmen who tried to avoid war between Athens and Macedonia. Sometimes opposed Demosthenes. | |
One of Philip's most trusted generals. Left in charge of Macedonia during Alexander's conquests. |