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{{Short description|Classical Athenian statesman and orator (384–322 BC)}}
{{About||other historical and fictional personages named Demosthenes |Demosthenes (disambiguation)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox person
| name               = Demosthenes
| image              = Demosthenes Polyeuctos Louvre Ma237 n01.jpg
| caption            = [[Bust (sculpture)|Bust]] of Demosthenes ([[Louvre]], Paris, France)
| native_name        = Δημοσθένης
| native_name_lang   = el
| birth_date         = 384&nbsp;BC
| birth_place        = [[Classical Athens|Athens]]
| death_date         = 12 October 322&nbsp;BC (aged 62)<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Demosthenes-Greek-statesman-and-orator|last=Murphy|first=James J|title=Demosthenes|work=Encyclopædia Britannica|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804031258/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Demosthenes-Greek-statesman-and-orator|archive-date=4 August 2016}}</ref>
| death_place        = [[Kalaureia]], [[Macedon]]
| occupation         = [[Logographer (legal)|Logographer]]
}}
'''Demosthenes''' ({{IPAc-en|d|ɪ|ˈ|m|ɒ|s|.|θ|ə|n|iː|z}}; {{langx|el|Δημοσθένης|translit=Dēmosthénēs}}; {{IPA|grc-x-attic|dɛːmostʰénɛːs|lang|link=yes}}; 384 – 12 October 322&nbsp;BC) was a [[Classical Greece|Greek]] statesman and orator in [[ancient Athens]]. His [[oration]]s constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide insight into the politics and culture of [[ancient Greece]] during the 4th century&nbsp;BC. Demosthenes learned [[rhetoric]] by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at the age of 20, in which he successfully argued that he should gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his living as a professional speechwriter ([[Logographer (legal)|logographer]]) and a [[Ancient Greek law|lawyer]], writing speeches for use in private [[legal suit]]s.

Demosthenes grew interested in politics during his time as a logographer, and in 354&nbsp;BC he gave his first public political speeches. He went on to devote his most productive years to opposing [[Macedon]]'s expansion. He idealized his city and strove throughout his life to restore Athens's supremacy and motivate his compatriots against [[Philip II of Macedon]]. He sought to preserve his city's freedom and to establish an alliance against Macedon, in an unsuccessful attempt to impede Philip's plans to expand his influence southward, conquering the Greek states.

After Philip's death, Demosthenes played a leading part in his city's uprising against the new king of Macedonia, [[Alexander the Great]]. However, his efforts failed, and the revolt was met with a harsh Macedonian reaction. To prevent a similar revolt against his own rule, Alexander's successor in this region, [[Antipater]], sent his men to track Demosthenes down. Demosthenes killed himself to avoid being arrested by [[Archias of Thurii]], Antipater's confidant.

The ''Alexandrian Canon'', compiled by [[Aristophanes of Byzantium]] and [[Aristarchus of Samothrace]], called Demosthenes one of the ten greatest [[Attic orators]] and logographers. [[Longinus (literature)|Longinus]] likened Demosthenes to a blazing thunderbolt and argued that he had "perfected to the utmost the tone of lofty speech, living passions, copiousness, readiness, speed."<ref>Longinus, ''On the Sublime'', 12.4, 34.4<br />* D. C. Innes, 'Longinus and Caecilius", 277–279.</ref> [[Quintilian]] extolled him as {{Lang |la|lex orandi}} ("the standard of oratory"). [[Cicero]] said of him that {{Lang |la|inter omnis unus excellat}} ("among them all, he excels alone"), and also praised him as "the perfect orator" who lacked nothing.<ref name="Cic35">Cicero, ''Brutus'', [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml#35 35] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629101345/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml |date=29 June 2011 }}, ''Orator'', II.[http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml#6 6] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622170646/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml |date=22 June 2015 }}; Quintillian, ''Institutiones'', X, 1.[http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/quintilian/quintilian.institutio10.shtml#1 76] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120203116/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/quintilian/quintilian.institutio10.shtml |date=20 January 2012 }}<br />* D. C. Innes, 'Longinus and Caecilius", 277.</ref>

==Early years and personal life==
===Family and personal life===
[[File:Bust Demosthenes BM 1840.jpg|thumb|left|Bust of Demosthenes ([[British Museum]], London), Roman copy of a Greek original sculpted by Polyeuktos.]]
Demosthenes was born in 384 BC, during the last year of the 98th&nbsp;[[Olympiad]] or the first year of the 99th&nbsp;Olympiad.<ref name="Weil1">H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 5–6.</ref> His father—also named Demosthenes—who belonged to the local tribe, Pandionis, and lived in the [[deme]] of [[Paeania]]<ref name="AischIII171">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D171 171.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520143158/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D171 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> in the Athenian countryside, was a wealthy sword-maker.<ref>E. Badian, "The Road to Prominence", 11.</ref> [[Aeschines]], Demosthenes's greatest political rival, maintained that his mother [[Kleobule|Kleoboule]] was a [[Scythia]]n by blood<ref name="Aisch2">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D172 172.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155153/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D172 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>—an allegation disputed by some modern scholars.{{Ref label|A|a|none}} He was also the uncle of the Athenian Orator Demochares. Demosthenes was orphaned at the age of seven. Although his father provided for him well, his legal guardians, Aphobus, Demophon and Therippides, mishandled his inheritance.<ref name="Thomsen">O. Thomsen, ''The Looting of the Estate of the Elder Demosthenes'', 61.</ref>

Demosthenes started to learn rhetoric because he wished to take his guardians to court and because he was of "delicate physique" and could not receive gymnastic education, which was customary. In ''[[Parallel Lives]]'', [[Plutarch]] states that Demosthenes built an underground study where he practised speaking and shaving one half of his head so that he could not go out in public. Plutarch also states that he had "an [[Speech impediment|inarticulate and stammering pronunciation]]" that he overcame by speaking with pebbles in his mouth and by repeating verses when running or out of breath. He also practised speaking in front of a large mirror.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/Demosthenes-Greek-statesman-and-orator|title=Demosthenes – Greek statesman and orator|website=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=7 May 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309202141/https://www.britannica.com/biography/Demosthenes-Greek-statesman-and-orator|archive-date=9 March 2018}}</ref>

As soon as Demosthenes came of age in 366&nbsp;BC, he demanded his guardians render an account of their management. According to Demosthenes, the account revealed the misappropriation of his property. Although his father left an estate of nearly fourteen [[Attic talent|talents]] (equivalent to about 220 years of a labourer's income at standard wages),<ref name="Aph4">{{cite book |author=Demosthenes |title=Against Aphobus 1 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D27%3Asection%3D4 |at=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520104442/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D27%3Asection%3D4 |archive-date=2012-05-20}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 3.</ref> Demosthenes asserted his guardians had left nothing "except the house, and fourteen slaves and thirty silver {{Lang|la|minae}}" (30 {{Lang|la|minae}} = ½ talent).<ref name="Aph6">{{cite book |author=Demosthenes |title=Against Aphobus 1 |at=6 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D27%3Asection%3D6 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520104603/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D27%3Asection%3D6 |archive-date=2012-05-20}}</ref> At the age of 20 Demosthenes sued his trustees to recover his patrimony and delivered five orations: three ''Against Aphobus'' during 363 and 362&nbsp;BC and two ''Against Onetor'' during 362 and 361&nbsp;BC. The courts fixed Demosthenes's damages at ten talents.<ref name="AphIII59">{{cite book |author=Demosthenes |title=Against Aphobus 3 |at=59 |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D29%3Asection%3D59 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520154959/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D29%3Asection%3D59 |archive-date=2012-05-20}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceA"/> When all the trials came to an end,{{Ref label|B|b|none}} he succeeded in recovering only a portion of his inheritance.<ref>E. Badian, "The Road to Prominence", 18.</ref>

According to [[Pseudo-Plutarch]], Demosthenes was married once. The only information about his wife, whose name is unknown, is that she was the daughter of Heliodorus, a prominent citizen.<ref name="pseudo13">Pseudo-Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 847c.</ref> Demosthenes also had a daughter, "the only one who ever called him father", according to Aeschines in a trenchant remark.<ref name="Ctesiphon77">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D77 77.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520104423/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D77 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> His daughter died young and unmarried a few days before Philip II's death.<ref name="Ctesiphon77" />

In his speeches, Aeschines uses [[Pederasty in ancient Greece|pederastic]] relations of Demosthenes as a means to attack him. In the case of Aristion, a youth from [[Plataea]] who lived for a long time in Demosthenes's house, Aeschines mocks the "scandalous" and "improper" relation.<ref>Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D162 162.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520154950/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D162 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> In another speech, Aeschines brings up the pederastic relation of his opponent with a boy called Cnosion. The slander that Demosthenes's wife also slept with the boy suggests that the relationship was contemporary with his marriage.<ref>Aeschines, ''On the Embassy'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D149 149] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520151813/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D149 |date=20 May 2012 }}; Athenaeus, ''Deipnosophistae'', XIII, 63.</ref><ref>C. A. Cox, ''Household Interests'', 202.</ref> Aeschines claims that Demosthenes made money out of young rich men, such as Aristarchus, the son of Moschus, whom he allegedly deceived with the pretence that he could make him a great orator. Apparently, while still under Demosthenes's tutelage, Aristarchus killed and mutilated a certain Nicodemus of Aphidna. Aeschines accused Demosthenes of complicity in the murder, pointing out that Nicodemus had once pressed a lawsuit accusing Demosthenes of desertion. He also accused Demosthenes of having been such a bad {{Lang|el|[[Erastes (Ancient Greece)|erastes]]}} to Aristarchus so as not even to deserve the name. His crime, according to Aeschines, was to have betrayed his {{Lang|el|[[eromenos]]}} by pillaging his estate, allegedly pretending to be in love with the youth so as to get his hands on the boy's inheritance. Nevertheless, the story of Demosthenes's relations with Aristarchus is still regarded as more than doubtful, and no other pupil of Demosthenes is known by name.<ref>{{cite book |author=[[Arthur Wallace Pickard-Cambridge]] |title=Demosthenes and the Last Days of Greek Freedom |publisher=G. P. Putnam's Sons |location=London |year=1914 |page=15 |url=https://www.cristoraul.org/ENGLISH/readinghall/THIRDMILLENNIUMLIBRARY/Biographies/Ancient-People/384-322-DEMOSTHENES.pdf |access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref>

===Education===
Between his coming of age in 366&nbsp;BC and the trials that took place in 364&nbsp;BC, Demosthenes and his guardians negotiated acrimoniously but were unable to reach an agreement, for neither side was willing to make concessions.<ref name="HeliosMacD">D. M. MacDowell, Demosthenes the Orator, ch. 3 (''passim''); {{cite encyclopedia|title=Demosthenes|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopaedia The Helios]]|year=1952}}</ref> At the same time, Demosthenes prepared himself for the trials and improved his oratory skill. According to a story repeated by [[Plutarch]], when Demosthenes was an adolescent, his curiosity was noticed by the orator [[Callistratus of Aphidnae|Callistratus]], who was then at the height of his reputation, having just won a case of considerable importance.<ref name="Pl5">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D1 5.1–3.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153326/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> According to [[Friedrich Nietzsche]], a German [[philology|philologist]] and philosopher, and [[Constantine Paparrigopoulos]], a major modern Greek historian, Demosthenes was a student of [[Isocrates]];<ref name="Nietzsche233-235">F. Nietzsche, ''Lessons of Rhetoric'', 233–235; K. Paparregopoulus, Ab, 396–398.</ref> according to [[Cicero]], [[Quintillian]] and the Roman biographer Hermippus, he was a student of [[Plato]].<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D5 5.5.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155026/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D5 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> [[Lucian]], a Roman-Syrian rhetorician and [[satire|satirist]], lists the philosophers [[Aristotle]], [[Theophrastus]] and [[Xenocrates]] among his teachers.<ref name="Lucian1">Lucian, ''Demosthenes, An Encomium'', 12.</ref> These claims are nowadays disputed.{{Ref label|C|c|none}} According to Plutarch, Demosthenes employed [[Isaeus]] as his master in rhetoric, even though Isocrates was then teaching this subject, either because he could not pay Isocrates the prescribed fee or because Demosthenes believed Isaeus's style better suited a vigorous and astute orator such as himself.<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D4 5.4.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153410/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D5%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> [[Ernst Curtius|Curtius]], a German [[archaeologist]] and historian, likened the relation between Isaeus and Demosthenes to "an intellectual armed alliance".<ref name="Jebb">R. C. Jebb, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0077%3Achapter%3D19%3Asection%3D4 The Attic Orators from Antiphon to Isaeos.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155017/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0077%3Achapter%3D19%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

It has also been said that Demosthenes paid Isaeus 10,000&nbsp;[[Ancient drachma|drachma]]e (somewhat over 1½&nbsp;talents) on the condition that Isaeus withdraw from a school of rhetoric he had opened and instead devote himself wholly to Demosthenes, his new pupil.<ref name="Jebb" /> Another version credits Isaeus with having taught Demosthenes without charge.<ref name="Suda">Suda, article [http://www.stoa.org/sol-bin/search.pl?login=guest&enlogin=guest&db=REAL&field=adlerhw_gr&searchstr=Iota,620 Isaeus.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924122152/http://www.stoa.org/sol-bin/search.pl?login=guest&enlogin=guest&db=REAL&field=adlerhw_gr&searchstr=Iota,620 |date=24 September 2015 }}</ref> According to [[Sir Richard C. Jebb]], a British [[Classics|classical]] scholar, "the intercourse between Isaeus and Demosthenes as teacher and learner can scarcely have been either very intimate or of very long duration".<ref name="Jebb" /> [[Konstantinos Tsatsos]], a Greek professor and [[academician]], believes that Isaeus helped Demosthenes edit his initial judicial orations against his guardians.<ref name="Tsatsos83">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 83.</ref> Demosthenes is also said to have admired the historian [[Thucydides]]. In the ''Illiterate Book-Fancier,'' Lucian mentions eight beautiful copies of Thucydides made by Demosthenes, all in Demosthenes's own handwriting.<ref name="Lucian2">Lucian, ''The Illiterate Book-Fancier'', 4.</ref> These references hint at his respect for a historian he must have assiduously studied.<ref name="Weil11">H. Weil, ''Biography of Demothenes'', 10–11.</ref>

===Speech training===
[[Image:DemosthPracticing.jpg|thumb|right|''Demosthenes Practising Oratory'' by [[Jean-Jules-Antoine Lecomte du Nouy]] (1842–1923). Demosthenes used to study in an underground room he constructed himself. He also used to talk with pebbles in his mouth and recited verses while running.<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D11%3Asection%3D1 11.1.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520143207/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D11%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> To strengthen his voice, he spoke on the seashore over the roar of the waves.]]
According to Plutarch, when Demosthenes first addressed himself to the people, he was derided for his strange and uncouth style, "which was cumbered with long sentences and tortured with formal arguments to a most harsh and disagreeable excess".<ref name="Pl6">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D6%3Asection%3D3 6.3.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110438/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D6%3Asection%3D3 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> Some citizens, however, discerned his talent. When he first left the [[Ecclesia (ancient Athens)|ekklesia]] (the Athenian Assembly) disheartened, an old man named Eunomus encouraged him, saying his diction was very much like that of [[Pericles]].<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D6%3Asection%3D4 6.4.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153422/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D6%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> Another time, after the ekklesia had refused to hear him and he was going home dejected, an actor named Satyrus followed him and entered into a friendly conversation with him.<ref name="Pl7">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D7%3Asection%3D1 7.1.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153427/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D7%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

As a boy Demosthenes had a [[speech impairment]]: Plutarch refers to a weakness in his voice of "a perplexed and indistinct utterance and a shortness of breath, which, by breaking and disjointing his sentences much obscured the sense and meaning of what he spoke."<ref name="Pl6" /> There are problems in Plutarch's account, however, and it is probable that Demosthenes actually suffered from [[Rhotacism (speech impediment)|rhotacism]], mispronouncing ρ (r) as λ (l).<ref>H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On the Crown'', 211, note 180.</ref> Aeschines taunted him and referred to him in his speeches by the nickname "Batalus",{{Ref label|D|d|none}} apparently invented by Demosthenes's pedagogues or by the little boys with whom he was playing<ref name="AischI126">Aeschines, ''Against Timarchus'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D1%3Asection%3D126 126] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153404/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D1%3Asection%3D126 |date=20 May 2012 }}; Aeschines, ''The Speech on the Embassy'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D99 99.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520160744/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D99 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>—which corresponded to how someone with that variety of rhotacism would pronounce "''[[Battaros#History|Battaros]]''," the name of a legendary Libyan king who spoke quickly and in a disordered fashion. Demosthenes undertook a disciplined programme to overcome his weaknesses and improve his delivery, including diction, voice and gestures.<ref name="Pl6-7">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D6%3Asection%3D1 6–7.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153415/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D6%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> According to one story, when he was asked to name the three most important elements in oratory, he replied "Delivery, delivery and delivery!"<ref>Cicero, ''De Oratore'', 3.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0120%3Abook%3D3%3Asection%3D213 213] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110451/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0120%3Abook%3D3%3Asection%3D213 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 517–18.</ref> It is unknown whether such vignettes are factual accounts of events in Demosthenes's life or merely anecdotes used to illustrate his perseverance and determination.<ref name=Bad16>E. Badian, "The Road to Prominence", 16.</ref>

==Career==
[[File:He lefts assembly, hiding his face in his cloak.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|Illustration by [[Walter Crane]] of Demosthenes leaving the Assembly in shame after his first failure at public speaking, as described by Plutarch in his ''Life of Demosthenes'']]

===Legal career===
To make his living, Demosthenes became a professional litigant, both as a "[[Logographer (legal)|logographer]]" ({{Lang|grc|λογογράφος}}, {{Lang|grc-Latn|logographos}}), writing speeches for use in private legal suits, and as an advocate ({{Lang|grc|[[wikt:συνήγορος|συνήγορος]]}}, {{Lang|grc-Latn|sunégoros}}) speaking on another's behalf. He seems to have been able to manage any kind of case, adapting his skills to almost any client, including wealthy and powerful men. It is not unlikely that he became a teacher of rhetoric and that he brought pupils into court with him. However, though he probably continued writing speeches throughout his career,{{Ref label|E|e|none}} he stopped working as an advocate once he entered the political arena.<ref>Demosthenes, ''Against Zenothemis'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0076%3Aspeech%3D32%3Asection%3D32 32] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110322/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0076%3Aspeech%3D32%3Asection%3D32 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* G. Kennedy, ''Greek Literature'', 514.</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "If you feel bound to act in the spirit of that dignity, whenever you come into court to give judgement on public causes, you must bethink yourselves that with his staff and his badge every one of you receives in trust the ancient pride of Athens."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''On the Crown'', 210)—The orator's defence of the honour of the courts was in contrast to the improper actions of which Aeschines accused him.
|}

Judicial oratory had become a significant literary genre by the second half of the fifth century, as represented in the speeches of Demosthenes's predecessors, [[Antiphon (person)|Antiphon]] and [[Andocides]]. Logographers were a unique aspect of the Athenian justice system: evidence for a case was compiled by a magistrate in a preliminary hearing and litigants could present it as they pleased within set speeches; however, witnesses and documents were popularly mistrusted (since they could be secured by force or bribery), there was little cross-examination during the trial, there were no instructions to the jury from a judge, no conferencing between jurists before voting, the juries were huge (typically between 201 and 501 members), cases depended largely on questions of probable motive, and notions of natural justice were felt to take precedence over written law—conditions that favoured artfully constructed speeches.<ref>G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 498–500<br />* H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On The Crown'', 263 (note 275).</ref>

Since Athenian politicians were often indicted by their opponents, there was not always a clear distinction between "private" and "public" cases, and thus a career as a logographer opened the way for Demosthenes to embark on his political career.<ref>J Vince, ''Demosthenes Orations'', Intro. xii.</ref> An Athenian logographer could remain anonymous, which enabled him to serve personal interests, even if it prejudiced the client. It also left him open to allegations of malpractice. Thus for example Aeschines accused Demosthenes of unethically disclosing his clients' arguments to their opponents; in particular, that he wrote a speech for Phormion (350 BC), a wealthy banker, and then communicated it to Apollodorus, who was bringing a [[capital punishment|capital charge]] against Phormion.<ref name="AischIII173">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D173 173] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520112051/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D173 |date=20 May 2012 }}; Aeschines, ''The Speech on the Embassy'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D165 165.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520143146/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D165 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> Plutarch much later supported this accusation, stating that Demosthenes "was thought to have acted dishonourably"<ref name="Pl15">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 15.</ref> and he also accused Demosthenes of writing speeches for both sides. It has often been argued that the deception, if there was one, involved a political ''[[quid pro quo]]'', whereby Apollodorus secretly pledged support for unpopular reforms that Demosthenes was pursuing in the greater, public interest<ref>G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 516.</ref> (i.e. the diversion of [[Theorica|Theoric Funds]] to military purposes).

===Early political activity===
{{See also|On the Navy Boards|For the Megalopolitans|On the Liberty of the Rhodians}}
Demosthenes was admitted to his {{Lang|grc-Latn|dêmos}} ({{Lang|grc|δῆμος}}) as a citizen with full rights probably in 366&nbsp;BC, and he soon demonstrated an interest in politics.<ref name=Bad16 /> In 363 and 359&nbsp;BC, he assumed the office of the [[trierarch]], being responsible for the outfitting and maintenance of a [[trireme]].<ref>A. W. Pickard, ''Demosthenes and the Last Days of Greek Freedom'', xiv–xv.</ref> He was among the first ever volunteer trierarchs in 357&nbsp;BC, sharing the expenses of a ship called ''Dawn'', for which the public inscription still survives.<ref>Packard Humanities Institute, [http://epigraphy.packhum.org/text/3834?&bookid=5&location=7 ''IG'' Π<sup>2</sup> 1612.301-10] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916182936/http://epigraphy.packhum.org/text/3834?&bookid=5&location=7 |date=16 September 2017 }}<br />* H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On the Crown'', 167.</ref> In 348&nbsp;BC, he became a [[choregos (ancient Greece)|choregos]], paying the expenses of a [[Ancient Greek theatre|theatrical production]].<ref name="Usher226">S. Usher, ''Greek Oratory'', 226.</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "While the vessel is safe, whether it be a large or a small one, then is the time for sailor and helmsman and everyone in his turn to show his zeal and to take care that it is not capsized by anyone's malice or inadvertence; but when the sea has overwhelmed it, zeal is useless."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''Third Philippic'', 69)—The orator warned his countrymen of the disasters Athens would suffer, if they continued to remain idle and indifferent to the challenges of their times.
|}
Between 355 and 351&nbsp;BC, Demosthenes continued practising law privately while he was becoming increasingly interested in public affairs. During this period, he wrote ''[[Against Androtion]]'' and ''[[Against Leptines]]'', two fierce attacks on individuals who attempted to repeal certain tax exemptions.<ref>E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 177–178.</ref> In ''[[Against Timocrates]]'' and ''Against Aristocrates'', he advocated eliminating corruption.<ref>E. Badian, "The Road to Prominence", 29–30.</ref> All these speeches, which offer early glimpses of his general principles on foreign policy, such as the importance of the navy, of alliances and of national honour,<ref name="Romilly116-117">J. De Romilly, ''A Short History of Greek Literature'', 116–117.</ref> are prosecutions ({{Lang|grc|γραφὴ παρανόμων}}'','' {{Lang|grc-Latn|[[graphē paranómōn]]}}) against individuals accused of illegally proposing legislative texts.<ref>D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 7 (''pr.'').</ref>

In Demosthenes's time, different political goals developed around personalities. Instead of electioneering, Athenian politicians used litigation and defamation to remove rivals from government processes. Often they indicted each other for breaches of the statute laws (''{{Lang|grc-Latn|graphē paranómōn}}''), but accusations of bribery and corruption were ubiquitous in all cases, being part of the political dialogue. The orators often resorted to "character assassination" tactics ({{Lang|grc|δῐᾰβολή}}, {{Lang|grc-Latn|diabolḗ}}; {{Lang|grc|λοιδορία}}, {{Lang|grc-Latn|loidoría}}), both in the courts and in the Assembly. The rancorous and often hilariously exaggerated accusations, satirised by [[Old Comedy]], were sustained by innuendo, inferences about motives, and a complete absence of proof; as J. H. Vince states "there was no room for chivalry in Athenian political life".<ref>E. M. Harris, "Demosthenes' Speech against Meidias", 117–118; J. H. Vince, ''Demosthenes Orations'', I, Intro. xii; N. Worman, "Insult and Oral Excess", 1–2.</ref> Such rivalry enabled the ''demos'' ("citizen-body") to reign supreme as judge, jury and executioner.<ref>H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On The Crown'', 9, 22.</ref> Demosthenes was to become fully engaged in this kind of litigation and he was also to be instrumental in developing the power of the [[Areopagus]] to indict individuals for treason, invoked in the ''ekklesia'' by a process called {{Lang|grc|ἀπόφασις}} ({{Lang|grc-Latn|apóphasis}}).<ref>H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On The Crown'', 187.</ref>

In 354&nbsp;BC, Demosthenes delivered his first political oration, ''On the Navy'', in which he espoused moderation and proposed the reform of the ''[[symmoria]]i'' (boards) as a source of funding for the Athenian fleet.<ref name="Tsatsos88">E. Badian, "The Road to Prominence", 29–30; K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 88.</ref> In 352&nbsp;BC, he delivered ''For the Megalopolitans'' and, in 351&nbsp;BC, ''On the Liberty of the Rhodians.'' In both speeches he opposed [[Eubulus (statesman)|Eubulus]], the most powerful Athenian statesman of the period 355 to 342&nbsp;BC. The latter was no pacifist but came to eschew a policy of aggressive interventionism in the internal affairs of the other Greek cities.<ref>E.M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 174–175.</ref> Contrary to Eubulus's policy, Demosthenes called for an alliance with [[Megalopolis, Greece|Megalopolis]] against [[Sparta]] or [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]], and for supporting the democratic faction of the Rhodians in their internal strife.<ref>E.M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 180–183.</ref> His arguments revealed his desire to articulate Athens's needs and interests through a more activist foreign policy, wherever opportunity might provide.<ref>E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 180, 183 (note 91); T. N. Habinek, ''Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory'', 21; D. Phillips, ''Athenian Political Oratory'', 72.</ref>

Although his early orations were unsuccessful and reveal a lack of real conviction and of coherent strategic and political prioritisation,<ref>E. Badian, "The Road to Prominence", 36.</ref> Demosthenes established himself as an important political personality and broke with Eubulus's faction, of which a prominent member was Aeschines.<ref>E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 181–182.</ref> He thus laid the foundations for his future political successes and for becoming the leader of his own "party" (the issue of whether the modern concept of political parties can be applied in the [[Athenian democracy]] is hotly disputed among modern scholars).<ref>M.H. Hansen, ''The Athenian Democracy'', 177.</ref>

===Confrontation with Philip II===
====First Philippic and the Olynthiacs (351–349&nbsp;BC)====
{{further|First Philippic|Olynthiacs}}
[[File:Philip II of Macedon CdM.jpg|right|thumb|Philip II of [[Macedon]]: victory medal ({{Lang|grc-Latn|nikétérion|size=90%}}) struck in [[Tarsus (city)|Tarsus]], c.&nbsp;2nd century&nbsp;BC ([[Cabinet des Médailles]], Paris).]]
Most of Demosthenes's major orations were directed against the growing power of King Philip II of Macedon. Since 357&nbsp;BC, when Philip seized [[Amphipolis]] and [[Pydna]], Athens had been formally at war with the [[ancient Macedonians|Macedonians]].<ref>D. Phillips, ''Athenian Political Oratory'', 69.</ref> In 352&nbsp;BC, Demosthenes characterised Philip as the very worst enemy of his city; his speech presaged the fierce attacks that Demosthenes would launch against the Macedonian king over the ensuing years.<ref name="Arist121">Demosthenes, ''Against Aristocrates'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D23%3Asection%3D121 121.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155141/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D23%3Asection%3D121 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> A year later he criticised those dismissing Philip as a person of no account and warned that he was as dangerous as the king of [[Persia]].<ref name="Rhodians24">Demosthenes, ''For the Liberty of the Rhodians'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/For the Freedom of the Rhodians#15:24|24.]]</ref>

In 352&nbsp;BC, Athenian troops successfully opposed Philip at [[Thermopylae]],<ref name="Embassy319">Demosthenes, ''First Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic I#4:17|17]]; ''On the False Embassy'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Embassy#19:319|319]]<br />* E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 184 (note 92).</ref> but the Macedonian victory over the [[Phocians]] at the [[Battle of Crocus Field]] shook Demosthenes. In 351&nbsp;BC, Demosthenes felt strong enough to express his view concerning the most important foreign policy issue facing Athens at that time: the stance his city should take towards Philip. According to [[Jacqueline de Romilly]], a French philologist and member of the {{Lang|fr|[[Académie française]]|italic=no}}, the threat of Philip would give Demosthenes's stances a focus and a {{Lang|fr|[[wikt:raison d'être|raison d'être]]}}.<ref name="Romilly116-117" /> Demosthenes saw the King of Macedon as a menace to the autonomy of all Greek cities and yet he presented him as a monster of Athens's own creation; in the ''First Philippic'' he reprimanded his fellow citizens as follows: "Even if something happens to him, you will soon raise up a second Philip [...]".<ref>Demosthenes, ''First Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic I#4:11|11]]<br />* G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 519–520.</ref>

The theme of the ''[[First Philippic]]'' (351–350&nbsp;BC) was preparedness and the reform of the [[Theoric fund]],{{Ref label|F|f|none}} a mainstay of Eubulus's policy.<ref name="Romilly116-117" /> In his rousing call for resistance, Demosthenes asked his countrymen to take the necessary action and asserted that "for a free people there can be no greater compulsion than shame for their position".<ref>Demosthenes, ''First Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic I#4:10|10.]]</ref> He thus provided for the first time a plan and specific recommendations for the strategy to be adopted against Philip in the north.<ref>E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 183–184.</ref> Among other things, the plan called for the creation of a rapid-response force, to be created cheaply with each {{Lang|grc|[[wikt:ὁπλῑ́της|ὁπλῑ́της]]|size=80%}} ({{Lang|grc-Latn|[[Hoplite|hoplī́tēs]]|size=90%}}) to be paid only ten [[Ancient drachma|drachmas]] per month (two [[obol (coin)|obols]] per day), which was less than the average pay for unskilled labourers in Athens—implying that the hoplite was expected to make up the deficiency in pay by looting.<ref>First Philippic 28, cited by J. H. Vince, pp. 84–85 note ''a''.</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''First Olynthiac'', 20)—The orator took great pains to convince his countrymen that the reform of the theoric fund was necessary to finance the city's military preparations.
|}

From this moment until 341&nbsp;BC, all of Demosthenes's speeches referred to the same issue, the struggle against Philip. In 349&nbsp;BC, Philip attacked [[Olynthus]], an ally of Athens. In the three ''[[Olynthiacs]]'', Demosthenes criticised his compatriots for being idle and urged Athens to help Olynthus.<ref name="OlynthII23">Demosthenes, ''First Olynthiac'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac I#1:3|3]]; Demosthenes, ''Second Olynthiac'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac II#2:3|3]]<br />* E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 185.</ref> He also insulted Philip by calling him a "barbarian".{{Ref label|G|g|none}} Despite Demosthenes's strong advocacy, the Athenians would not manage to prevent the falling of the city to the Macedonians. Almost simultaneously, probably on Eubulus's recommendation, they engaged in a war in [[Euboea]] against Philip, which ended in a stalemate.<ref name="Peace5">Demosthenes, ''On the Peace'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Peace#5:5|5]]<br />* E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 185–187.</ref>

====Case of Meidias (348&nbsp;BC)====
{{further|Against Meidias}}
In 348&nbsp;BC a peculiar event occurred: [[Meidias]], a wealthy Athenian, publicly slapped Demosthenes, who was at the time a choregos at the [[Dionysia|Greater Dionysia]], a large religious festival in honour of the god [[Dionysus]].<ref name="Usher226" /> Meidias was a friend of Eubulus and supporter of the unsuccessful excursion in Euboea.<ref name="Peace5II">Demosthenes, ''On the Peace'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Peace#5:5|5]]<br />* E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 174 (note 47).</ref> He also was an old enemy of Demosthenes; in 361&nbsp;BC he had broken violently into his house, with his brother Thrasylochus, to take possession of it.<ref name="Meidias 78–80">Demosthenes, ''Against Meidias'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D21%3Asection%3D78 78–80.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520104706/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D21%3Asection%3D78 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "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."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | 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.<ref name="Romilly113-117">J. De Romilly, ''Ancient Greece against Violence'', 113–117.</ref>
|}

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 [[Hubris|hybris]] (aggravated assault), which was regarded as a crime not only against the city but against society as a whole.<ref>H. Yunis, ''The Rhetoric of Law in 4th Century Athens'', 206.</ref> 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".<ref name="Meidias223">Demosthenes, ''Against Meidias'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074&layout=&loc=21.223 223.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221117164744/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074&redirect=true |date=17 November 2022 }}</ref> There is no consensus among scholars either on whether Demosthenes finally delivered ''Against Meidias'' or on the veracity of Aeschines's accusation that Demosthenes was bribed to drop the charges.{{Ref label|H|h|none}}

====Peace of Philocrates (347–345&nbsp;BC)====
{{further|Peace of Philocrates}}
In 348&nbsp;BC, Philip conquered Olynthus and razed it to the ground; then conquered the entire [[Chalkidiki|Chalcidice]] and all the states of the Chalcidic federation that Olynthus had once led.<ref name="PhilippicIII56">Demosthenes, ''Third Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic III#9:56|56]]<br />* E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 187.</ref> After these Macedonian victories, Athens sued for peace with Macedon. Demosthenes was among those who favoured compromise. In 347&nbsp;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.<ref name="Aeschines34">Aeschines, ''The Speech on the Embassy'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D34 34] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520112043/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D2%3Asection%3D34 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 12.</ref>

The ekklesia officially accepted Philip's harsh terms, including the renouncement of their claim to [[Amphipolis]]. However, when an Athenian delegation arrived at Pella to put Philip under oath, which was required to conclude the treaty, he was campaigning abroad.<ref name="PhilippicIII15">Demosthenes, ''Third Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic III#9:15|15]]<br />* G. Cawkwell, ''Philip II of Macedon'', 102–103.</ref> He expected that he would hold safely any Athenian possessions that he might seize before the ratification.<ref name="Crown25-27">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:25|25–27]]<br />* G. Cawkwell, ''Philip II of Macedon'', 102–103.</ref> 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.<ref name="Crown25-27" /> Despite his suggestions, the Athenian envoys, including himself and Aeschines, remained in Pella, until Philip successfully concluded his campaign in [[Thrace]].<ref name="Crown30">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:30|30]]<br />* G. Cawkwell, ''Philip II of Macedon'', 102–103.</ref>

Philip swore to the treaty, but he delayed the departure of the Athenian envoys, who had yet to receive the oaths from Macedon's allies in [[Thessaly]] and elsewhere. Finally, peace was sworn at [[Pherae]], where Philip accompanied the Athenian delegation, after he had completed his military preparations to move south. Demosthenes accused the other envoys of venality and of facilitating Philip's plans with their stance.<ref name="Crown31">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:31|31]]<br />* G. Cawkwell, ''Philip II of Macedon'', 102–105; D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 12.</ref> Just after the conclusion of the Peace of Philocrates, Philip passed Thermopylae, and subdued [[Phocis]]; Athens made no move to support the Phocians.<ref name="Crown36">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:36|36]]; Demosthenes, ''On the Peace'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Peace#5:10|10]]<br />* D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 12.</ref> Supported by Thebes and Thessaly, Macedon took control of Phocis's votes in the [[Amphictyonic League]], a Greek religious organisation formed to support the greater temples of [[Apollo]] and [[Demeter]].<ref name="Crown43">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:43|43.]]</ref> Despite some reluctance on the part of the Athenian leaders, Athens finally accepted Philip's entry into the Council of the League.<ref name="Embassy111-113">Demosthenes, ''On the False Embassy'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Embassy#19:111|111–113]]<br />* D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 12.</ref> Demosthenes was among those who adopted a pragmatic approach, and recommended this stance in his oration ''[[On the Peace]]''. For Edmund M. Burke, this speech heralds a maturation in Demosthenes's career: after Philip's successful campaign in 346&nbsp;BC, the Athenian statesman realised that, if he was to lead his city against the Macedonians, he had "to adjust his voice, to become less partisan in tone".<ref>E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 188–189.</ref>

====Second and Third Philippics (344–341&nbsp;BC)====
{{further|Second Philippic|On the Chersonese|Third Philippic}}
[[File:Gallipoli peninsula from space.png|thumb|Satellite image of the Thracian Chersonese and the surrounding area. The Chersonese became the focus of a bitter territorial dispute between Athens and Macedon. It was eventually ceded to Philip in 338&nbsp;BC.]]
In 344&nbsp;BC Demosthenes travelled to the [[Peloponnese]], to detach as many cities as possible from Macedon's influence, but his efforts were generally unsuccessful.<ref name="PhilippicII19">Demosthenes, ''Second Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic II#6:19|19.]]</ref> Most of the Peloponnesians saw Philip as the guarantor of their freedom and sent a joint embassy to Athens to express their grievances against Demosthenes's activities.<ref name="Buckley">T. Buckley, ''Aspects of Greek History 750–323 BC,'' 480.</ref> In response, Demosthenes delivered the ''[[Second Philippic]]'', a vehement attack against Philip. In 343&nbsp;BC Demosthenes delivered ''[[On the False Embassy]]'' against Aeschines, who was facing a charge of high treason. Nonetheless, Aeschines was acquitted by the narrow margin of thirty votes by a jury which may have numbered as many as 1,501.<ref>Pseudo-Plutarch, ''Aeschines,'' 840c<br />* D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 12 ''(in fine)''.</ref>

In 343&nbsp;BC, Macedonian forces were conducting campaigns in [[Epirus]] and, in 342&nbsp;BC, Philip campaigned in Thrace.<ref name="PhilippicIII17">Demosthenes, ''Third Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic III#9:17|17.]]</ref> He also negotiated with the Athenians an amendment to the Peace of Philocrates.<ref name="Halonnesus18">Demosthenes (or Hegesippus), ''On Halonnesus,'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0070%3Aspeech%3D7%3Asection%3D18 18–23] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520150250/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0070%3Aspeech%3D7%3Asection%3D18 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* D.M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 13.</ref> When the Macedonian army approached [[Thracian Chersonese|Chersonese]] (now known as the [[Gallipoli Peninsula]]), an Athenian general named [[Diopeithes]] ravaged the maritime district of Thrace, thereby inciting Philip's rage. Because of this turbulence, the Athenian Assembly convened. Demosthenes delivered ''[[On the Chersonese]]'' and convinced the Athenians not to recall Diopeithes. Also in 342&nbsp;BC, he delivered the ''[[Third Philippic]]'', which is considered to be the best of his political orations.<ref name="Tsatsos245">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 245.</ref> Using all the power of his eloquence, he demanded resolute action against Philip and called for a burst of energy from the Athenian people. He told them that it would be "better to die a thousand times than pay court to Philip".<ref>Demosthenes, ''Third Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic III#9:65|65]]<br />* D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 13.</ref> Demosthenes now dominated Athenian politics and was able to considerably weaken the pro-Macedonian faction of Aeschines.

====Battle of Chaeronea (338&nbsp;BC)====
{{further|Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC)}}
[[File:Chaeronea map.png|thumb|right|The battle of Chaeronea took place in the autumn of 338&nbsp;BC and resulted in a significant victory for Philip, who established Macedon's supremacy over the Greek cities.]]
In 341&nbsp;BC Demosthenes was sent to [[Byzantium]], where he sought to renew its alliance with Athens. Thanks to Demosthenes's diplomatic manoeuvres, [[Abydos, Hellespont|Abydos]] also entered into an alliance with Athens. These developments worried Philip and increased his anger at Demosthenes. The Assembly, however, laid aside Philip's grievances against Demosthenes's conduct and denounced the peace treaty; so doing, in effect, amounted to an official declaration of war. In 339&nbsp;BC Philip made his last and most effective bid to conquer southern Greece, assisted by Aeschines's stance in the [[Amphictyonic League|Amphictyonic Council]]. During a meeting of the council, Philip accused the [[Amfissa|Amfissian]] [[Locrians]] of intruding on consecrated ground. The presiding officer of the council, a Thessalian named Cottyphus, proposed the convocation of an Amphictyonic Congress to inflict a harsh punishment upon the Locrians. Aeschines agreed with this proposition and maintained that the Athenians should participate in the Congress.<ref name="On the Crown151">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:149|149]], [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:150|150]], [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:151|151]]<br /> * C. Carey, ''Aeschines'', 7–8.</ref> Demosthenes however reversed Aeschines's initiatives and Athens finally abstained.<ref name="CareyI">C. Carey, ''Aeschines'', 7–8, 11.</ref> After the failure of a first military excursion against the Locrians, the summer session of the Amphictyonic Council gave command of the league's forces to Philip and asked him to lead a second excursion. Philip decided to act at once; in the winter of 339–338&nbsp;BC, he passed through Thermopylae, entered Amfissa and defeated the Locrians. After this significant victory, Philip swiftly entered Phocis in 338&nbsp;BC. He then turned south-east down the [[Cephissus (Athenian plain)|Cephissus]] valley, seized [[Elateia]], and restored the fortifications of the city.<ref name="On the Crown152">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:152|152]]<br />* K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 283; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 41–42.</ref>

At the same time, Athens orchestrated the creation of an alliance with [[Euboea]], [[Megara]], [[Achaea]], [[Ancient Corinth|Corinth]], [[Acarnania]] and other states in the Peloponnese. However the most desirable ally for Athens was Thebes. To secure their allegiance, Demosthenes was sent by Athens, to the [[Boeotia]]n city; Philip also sent a deputation, but Demosthenes succeeded in securing Thebes's allegiance.<ref name="On the Crown153">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:153|153]]<br />* K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 284–285; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 41–42.</ref> Demosthenes's oration before the Theban people is not extant and, therefore, the arguments he used to convince the Thebans remain unknown. In any case, the alliance came at a price: Thebes's control of Boeotia was recognised, Thebes was to command solely on land and jointly at sea, and Athens was to pay two thirds of the campaign's cost.<ref name="Rhodes317">P.J. Rhodes, ''A History of the Classical World'', 317.</ref>

While the Athenians and the Thebans were preparing themselves for war, Philip made a final attempt to appease his enemies, proposing in vain a new peace treaty.<ref name="Pl18">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes,'' [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D18%3Asection%3D3 18.3] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520104415/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D18%3Asection%3D3 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 284–285.</ref> After a few trivial encounters between the two sides, which resulted in minor Athenian victories, Philip drew the [[Phalanx formation|phalanx]] of the Athenian and Theban confederates into a plain near [[Chaeronea]], where he defeated them. Demosthenes fought as a mere [[hoplite]].{{Ref label|I|i|none}} Such was Philip's hatred for Demosthenes that, according to [[Diodorus Siculus]], the King after his victory sneered at the misfortunes of the Athenian statesman. However, the Athenian orator and statesman [[Demades]] is said to have remarked: "O King, when Fortune has cast you in the role of [[Agamemnon]], are you not ashamed to act the part of [[Thersites]] [an obscene soldier of the Greek army during the [[Trojan War]]]?" Stung by these words, Philip immediately altered his demeanour.<ref name="DiodXVI87">Diodorus, ''Library'', XVI, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0084%3Abook%3D16%3Achapter%3D87%3Asection%3D1 87.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520141618/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0084%3Abook%3D16%3Achapter%3D87%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

===Last political initiatives and death===
====Confrontation with Alexander====
[[File:Napoli BW 2013-05-16 16-24-01.jpg|thumb|left|[[Alexander Mosaic]] from [[Pompeii]], from a 3rd-century&nbsp;BC original Greek painting, now lost. In 336–335&nbsp;BC, the king of Macedon killed any attempt of the Greek cities at resistance and shattered Demosthenes's hopes for Athenian independence.]]
After Chaeronea, Philip inflicted a harsh punishment upon Thebes, but made peace with Athens on very lenient terms. Demosthenes encouraged the fortification of Athens and was chosen by the ekklesia to deliver the [[Demosthenes' Funeral Oration|Funeral Oration]].<ref name="On the Crown299">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:285|285]], [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:299|299.]]</ref> In 337&nbsp;BC, Philip created the [[League of Corinth]], a confederation of Greek states under his leadership, and returned to Pella.<ref>L.A. Tritle, ''The Greek World in the Fourth Century'', 123.</ref> In 336&nbsp;BC, Philip was assassinated at the wedding of his daughter, [[Cleopatra of Macedon]], to King [[Alexander I of Epirus|Alexander of Epirus]]. The Macedonian citizens swiftly proclaimed [[Alexander the Great|Alexander III of Macedon]], then twenty years old, as the new King of Macedon. Greek cities like Athens and Thebes saw in this change of leadership an opportunity to regain their full independence. Demosthenes celebrated Philip's assassination and played a leading part in his city's uprising. According to Aeschines, "it was but the seventh day after the death of his daughter, and though the ceremonies of mourning were not yet completed, he put a garland on his head and white raiment on his body, and there he stood making thank-offerings, violating all decency."<ref name="Ctesiphon77" /> Demosthenes also sent envoys to [[Attalus (general)|Attalus]], whom he considered to be an internal opponent of Alexander.<ref>P. Green, ''Alexander of Macedon'', 119.</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last=Thirlwall|first=Connop|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=945b5VCgEFEC&q=%22Attalus%22+macedonia&pg=PA107|title=A History of Greece by the Rev. Connop Thirlwall|publisher=Longman, Rees, Orme, Green & Longman, Paternoster-Row and John Taylor|year=1839|volume=6|language=en}}</ref> Nonetheless, Alexander moved swiftly to Thebes, which submitted shortly after his appearance at its gates. When the Athenians learned that Alexander had moved quickly to Boeotia, they panicked and begged the new King of Macedon for mercy. Alexander admonished them but imposed no punishment.

In 335&nbsp;BC Alexander felt free to engage the [[Thracians]] and the [[Illyrians]], but, while he was campaigning in the north, Demosthenes spread a rumour—even producing a bloodstained messenger—that Alexander and all of his expeditionary force had been slaughtered by the [[Triballi]]ans.<ref>Demades, ''On the Twelve Years'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0066%3Aspeech%3D1%3Asection%3D17 17] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155129/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0066%3Aspeech%3D1%3Asection%3D17 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* J. R. Hamilton, ''Alexander the Great'', 48.</ref> The Thebans and the Athenians rebelled once again, financed by [[Darius III of Persia]], and Demosthenes is said to have received about 300&nbsp;talents on behalf of Athens and to have faced accusations of embezzlement.{{Ref label|J|j|none}} Alexander reacted immediately and razed Thebes to the ground. He did not attack Athens, but demanded the exile of all anti-Macedonian politicians, Demosthenes first of all. According to [[Plutarch]], a special Athenian embassy led by [[Phocion]], an opponent of the anti-Macedonian faction, was able to persuade Alexander to relent.<ref name="Phocion">Plutarch, ''Phocion'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0057%3Achapter%3D17%3Asection%3D1 17.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155010/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0057%3Achapter%3D17%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

According to ancient writers, Demosthenes called Alexander "Margites" ({{langx|grc|Μαργίτης}})<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0026.tlg003.perseus-grc1:160| title = Aeschines, Against Ctesiphon, §160}}</ref><ref name = "Harpokration">{{cite web| url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2013.01.0002%3Aletter%3Dm%3Aentry%3Dmargites| title = Harpokration, Lexicon of the Ten Orators, § m6}}</ref><ref name = "Plutach_Demosthenes">{{cite web| url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg0007.tlg054.perseus-grc1:23| title = Plutarch, Life of Demosthenes, §23}}</ref> and a boy.<ref name = "Plutach_Demosthenes"/> Greeks used the word Margites to describe foolish and useless people, on account of the [[Margites]].<ref name = "Harpokration"/><ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=urn:cts:greekLit:tlg2040.tlg002.perseus-grc1:8.#note1| title = Advice to Young Men on Greek Literature, Basil of Caesarea, § 8}}</ref>

====Delivery of ''On the Crown''====
{{See also|On the Crown}}
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "You stand revealed in your life and conduct, in your public performances and also in your public abstinences. A project approved by the people is going forward. Aeschines is speechless. A regrettable incident is reported. Aeschines is in evidence. He reminds one of an old sprain or fracture: the moment you are out of health it begins to be active."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''On the Crown'', 198)—In ''On the Crown'' Demosthenes fiercely assaulted and finally neutralised Aeschines, his formidable political opponent.
|}
Despite the unsuccessful ventures against Philip and Alexander, most Athenians still respected Demosthenes, because they shared his sentiments and wished to restore their independence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=A history of Greece, Volume 12|last=Grote|first=George|publisher=John Murray|year=1856|location=London}}</ref> In 336&nbsp;BC, the orator Ctesiphon proposed that Athens honour Demosthenes for his services to the city by presenting him, according to custom, with a golden crown. This proposal became a political issue and, in 330&nbsp;BC, Aeschines prosecuted Ctesiphon on charges of legal irregularities. In his most brilliant speech,<ref name="Tsatsos301">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 301; "Demosthenes". [[Encyclopaedia The Helios]]. 1952.</ref> ''On the Crown,'' Demosthenes effectively defended Ctesiphon and vehemently attacked those who would have preferred peace with Macedon. He was unrepentant about his past actions and policies and insisted that, when in power, the constant aim of his policies was the honour and the ascendancy of his country; and on every occasion and in all business he preserved his loyalty to Athens.<ref name="Cr321">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:321|321.]]</ref> He finally defeated Aeschines, although his enemy's objections, though politically-motivated,<ref name=":0" /> to the crowning were arguably valid from a legal point of view.<ref name="Duncan">A. Duncan, ''Performance and Identity in the Classical World'', 70.</ref>

====Case of Harpalus and death====
{{further|Harpalus}}
[[File:Temple of Poseidon Poros.jpg|thumbnail|right|The site of the temple of Poseidon, [[Kalaureia]], where Demosthenes died by  suicide.]]
In 324&nbsp;BC Harpalus, to whom Alexander had entrusted huge treasures, absconded and sought refuge in Athens.{{Ref label|K|k|none}} The Assembly had initially refused to accept him, following Demosthenes's and [[Phocion]]'s advice, but finally Harpalus entered Athens. He was imprisoned after a proposal of Demosthenes and Phocion, despite the dissent of [[Hypereides]], an anti-Macedonian statesman and former ally of Demosthenes. Additionally, the ekklesia decided to take control of Harpalus's money, which was entrusted to a committee presided over by Demosthenes. When the committee counted the treasure, they found they only had half the money Harpalus had declared he possessed. When Harpalus escaped, the Areopagus conducted an inquiry and charged Demosthenes and others with mishandling twenty talents.<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D25%3Asection%3D3 25.3.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729220337/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D25%3Asection%3D3 |date=29 July 2020 }}</ref>

Among the accused, Demosthenes was the first to be brought to trial before an unusually numerous jury of 1,500. He was found guilty and fined 50 talents.<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D26%3Asection%3D1 26.1.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729194207/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D26%3Asection%3D1 |date=29 July 2020 }}</ref> Unable to pay this huge amount, Demosthenes escaped and only returned to Athens nine months later, after the death of Alexander. Upon his return, he "received from his countrymen an enthusiastic welcome, such as had never been accorded to any returning exile since the days of [[Alkibiades]]."<ref name=":0" /> Such a reception, the circumstances of the case, Athenian need to placate Alexander, the urgency to account for the missing funds, Demosthenes's patriotism and wish to set Greece free from Macedonian rule, all lend support to George Grote's view that Demosthenes was innocent, that the charges against him were politically-motivated, and that he "was neither paid nor bought by Harpalus."<ref name=":0" />

[[Mogens Herman Hansen|Mogens Hansen]], however, notes that many Athenian leaders, Demosthenes included, made fortunes out of their political activism, especially by taking bribes from fellow citizens and such foreign states as Macedonia and Persia. Demosthenes received vast sums for the many decrees and laws he proposed. Given this pattern of corruption in Greek politics, it appears likely, writes Hansen, that Demosthenes accepted a huge bribe from Harpalus, and that he was justly found guilty in an Athenian People's Court.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Hansen|first=Mogens|title=The Athenian democracy in the age of Demosthenes|publisher=University of Oklahoma Press|year=1991|isbn=978-0-8061-3143-6|location=Norman|pages=274–5}}</ref> <br />
{| class="toccolours" style="float: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "For a house, I take it, or a ship or anything of that sort must have its chief strength in its substructure; and so too in affairs of state the principles and the foundations must be truth and justice."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''Second Olynthiac'', 10)—The orator faced serious accusations more than once, but he never admitted to any improper actions and insisted that it is impossible "to gain permanent power by injustice, perjury, and falsehood".
|}
After Alexander's death in 323&nbsp;BC, Demosthenes again urged the Athenians to seek independence from Macedon in what became known as the [[Lamian War]]. However, Antipater, Alexander's successor, quelled all opposition and demanded that the Athenians turn over Demosthenes and Hypereides, among others. Following his order, the ekklesia had no choice but to reluctantly adopt a decree condemning the most prominent anti-Macedonian agitators to death. Demosthenes escaped to a sanctuary on the island of [[Kalaureia]] (modern-day [[Poros]]), where he was later discovered by Archias, a confidant of Antipater. He died by suicide before his capture by taking poison out of a reed, pretending he wanted to write a letter to his family.<ref name="Pl29">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D29%3Asection%3D1 29.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110336/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D29%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> When Demosthenes felt that the poison was working on his body, he said to Archias: "Now, as soon as you please you may commence the part of [[Creon of Thebes|Creon]] in the tragedy, and cast out this body of mine unburied. But, O gracious Neptune, I, for my part, while I am yet alive, arise up and depart out of this sacred place; though Antipater and the Macedonians have not left so much as the temple unpolluted." After saying these words, he passed by the altar, fell down and died.<ref name="Pl29" /> Years after Demosthenes's suicide, the Athenians erected a statue to honour him and decreed that the state should provide meals to his descendants in the [[Prytaneum]].<ref name="pseudo14">Pseudo-Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 847d.</ref>

==Assessments==
===Political career===
Plutarch lauds Demosthenes for not being of a fickle disposition. Rebutting historian [[Theopompus]], the biographer insists that for "the same party and post in politics which he held from the beginning, to these he kept constant to the end; and was so far from leaving them while he lived, that he chose rather to forsake his life than his purpose".<ref name="Pl13">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 13.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D13%3Asection%3D1 1.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520104620/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D13%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> On the other hand, [[Polybius]], a Greek historian of the [[Mediterranean Basin|Mediterranean world]], was highly critical of Demosthenes's policies. Polybius accused him of having launched unjustified verbal attacks on great men of other cities, branding them unjustly as traitors to the Greeks. The historian maintains that Demosthenes measured everything by the interests of his own city, imagining that all the Greeks ought to have their eyes fixed upon Athens. According to Polybius, the only thing the Athenians eventually got by their opposition to Philip was the defeat at Chaeronea. "And had it not been for the King's magnanimity and regard for his own reputation, their misfortunes would have gone even further, thanks to the policy of Demosthenes".<ref name="Polybius">Polybius, ''Histories'', 18, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0234%3Abook%3D18%3Achapter%3D14 14.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111130161611/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0234%3Abook%3D18%3Achapter%3D14 |date=30 November 2011 }}</ref>
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" |"Two characteristics, men of Athens, a citizen of a respectable character...must be able to show: when he enjoys authority, he must maintain to the end the policy whose aims are noble action and the pre-eminence of his country: and at all times and in every phase of fortune he must remain loyal. For this depends upon his own nature; while his power and his influence are determined by external causes. And in me, you will find, this loyalty has persisted unalloyed...For from the very first, I chose the straight and honest path in public life: I chose to foster the honour, the supremacy, the good name of my country, to seek to enhance them, and to stand or fall with them."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''On the Crown'', 321–322)—Faced with the practical defeat of his policies, Demosthenes assessed them by the ideals they embodied rather than by their utility.
|}
Paparrigopoulos extols Demosthenes's patriotism, but criticises him as being short-sighted. According to this critique, Demosthenes should have understood that the ancient Greek states could only survive unified under the leadership of Macedon.<ref>K. Paparregopoulus, Ab, 396–398.</ref> Therefore, Demosthenes is accused of misjudging events, opponents and opportunities and of being unable to foresee Philip's inevitable triumph.<ref name="Carey">C. Carey, ''Aeschines'', 12–14.</ref> He is criticised for having overrated Athens's capacity to revive and challenge Macedon.<ref name = "Tsatsos318-326"/> His city had lost most of its Aegean allies, whereas Philip had consolidated his hold over [[Macedonia (region)|Macedonia]] and was master of enormous mineral wealth. Chris Carey, a professor of Greek in [[University College London|UCL]], concludes that Demosthenes was a better orator and political operator than strategist.<ref name="Carey" /> Nevertheless, the same scholar underscores that "pragmatists" like Aeschines or Phocion had no inspiring vision to rival that of Demosthenes. The orator asked the Athenians to choose that which is just and honourable, before their own safety and preservation.<ref name="Pl13" /> The people preferred Demosthenes's activism and even the bitter defeat at Chaeronea was regarded as a price worth paying in the attempt to retain freedom and influence.<ref name="Carey" /> According to Professor of Greek Arthur Wallace Pickarde, success may be a poor criterion for judging the actions of people like Demosthenes, who were motivated by the ideals of democracy political liberty.<ref name="Pickard">A.W. Pickard, ''Demosthenes and the Last Days of Greek Freedom ,'' 490.</ref> Athens was asked by Philip to sacrifice its freedom and its democracy, while Demosthenes longed for the city's brilliance.<ref name="Tsatsos318-326">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 318–326.</ref> He endeavoured to revive its imperilled values and, thus, he became an "educator of the people" (in the words of [[Werner Jaeger]]).<ref name="Romilly120-122">J. De Romilly, ''A Short History of Greek Literature,'' 120–122.</ref>

The fact that Demosthenes fought at the battle of Chaeronea as a hoplite indicates that he lacked any military skills. According to historian [[Thomas Babington Macaulay, 1st Baron Macaulay|Thomas Babington Macaulay]], in his time the division between political and military offices was beginning to be strongly marked.<ref name="Macaulay">T.B. Macaulay, ''On Mitford's History of Greece,'' 136.</ref> Almost no politician, with the exception of Phocion, was at the same time an apt orator and a competent [[strategos|general]]. Demosthenes dealt in policies and ideas, and war was not his business.<ref name="Macaulay" /> This contrast between Demosthenes's intellectual prowess and his deficiencies in terms of vigour, stamina, military skill and strategic vision is illustrated by the inscription his countrymen engraved on the base of his statue:<ref name="Pl30">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 30<br />* C.Carey, ''Aeschines'', 12–14; K. Paparregopoulus, Ab, 396–398.</ref><blockquote>Had you for Greece been strong, as wise you were, the Macedonian would not have conquered her.</blockquote>George Grote<ref name=":0" /> notes that already thirty years before his death, Demosthenes "took a sagacious and provident measure of the danger which threatened Grecian liberty from the energy and encroachments of Philip." Throughout his career "we trace the same combination of earnest patriotism with wise and long-sighted policy." Had his advice to the Athenians and other fellow Greeks been followed, the power of Macedonia could have been successfully checked. Moreover, says Grote, "it was not Athens only that he sought to defend against Philip, but the whole Hellenic world. In this he towers above the greatest of his predecessors."  <blockquote>The sentiments to which Demosthenes appeals throughout his numerous orations, are those of the noblest and largest patriotism; trying to inflame the ancient Grecian sentiment of an autonomous Hellenic world, as the indispensable condition of a dignified and desirable existence.<ref name=":0" /></blockquote>

===Oratorical skill===
[[File:Herma Demosthenes Glyptothek Munich 292.jpg|thumb|160px|[[Herma]] of Demosthenes: the head is a copy of the bronze posthumous commemorative statue in the [[Ancient Agora of Athens]] by Polyeuctus (c.&nbsp;280&nbsp;BC); this herm was found in the [[Circus of Maxentius]] in 1825 ([[Glyptothek]], Munich).]]

In Demosthenes's initial judicial orations, the influence of both [[Lysias]] and Isaeus is obvious, but his marked, original style is already revealed.<ref name="Jebb"/> Most of his extant speeches for private cases—written early in his career—show glimpses of talent: a powerful intellectual drive, masterly selection (and omission) of facts, and a confident assertion of the justice of his case, all ensuring the dominance of his viewpoint over his rival. However, at this early stage of his career, his writing was not yet remarkable for its subtlety, verbal precision and variety of effects.<ref>G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 514–515.</ref>

According to [[Dionysius of Halicarnassus]], a Greek historian and teacher of rhetoric, Demosthenes represented the final stage in the development of Attic prose. Both Dionysius and Cicero assert that Demosthenes brought together the best features of the basic types of style; he used the middle or normal type style ordinarily and applied the archaic type and the type of plain elegance where they were fitting. In each one of the three types he was better than its special masters.<ref name="Dionysius46">Cicero, ''Orator'', [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml#76 76–101] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622170646/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml |date=22 June 2015 }}; Dionysius, ''On the Admirable Style of Demosthenes'', 46<br />* C. Wooten, "Cicero's Reactions to Demosthenes", 39.</ref> He is, therefore, regarded as a consummate orator, adept in the techniques of oratory, which are brought together in his work.<ref name="Romilly120-122" />

According to the classical scholar Harry Thurston Peck, Demosthenes "affects no learning; he aims at no elegance; he seeks no glaring ornaments; he rarely touches the heart with a soft or melting appeal, and when he does, it is only with an effect in which a third-rate speaker would have surpassed him. He had no wit, no humour, no vivacity, in our acceptance of these terms. The secret of his power is simple, for it lies essentially in the fact that his political principles were interwoven with his very spirit."<ref name="Thurston">H. T. Peck, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DD%3Aentry+group%3D4%3Aentry%3Ddemosthenes-harpers Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520162313/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.04.0062%3Aalphabetic+letter%3DD%3Aentry+group%3D4%3Aentry%3Ddemosthenes-harpers |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> In this judgement, Peck agrees with Jaeger, who said that the imminent political decision imbued Demosthenes's speech with a fascinating artistic power.<ref>W. Jaeger, ''Demosthenes'', 123–124.</ref> From his part, George A. Kennedy believes that his political speeches in the ekklesia were to become "the artistic exposition of reasoned views".<ref>G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 519.</ref>

Demosthenes was apt at combining abruptness with the extended period, brevity with breadth. Hence, his style harmonises with his fervent commitment.<ref name="Romilly120-122" /> His language is simple and natural, never far-fetched or artificial. According to Jebb, Demosthenes was a true artist who could make his art obey him.<ref name="Jebb" /> For his part, Aeschines stigmatised his intensity, attributing to his rival strings of absurd and incoherent images.<ref name="Ctesiphon166">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D139 166.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520160737/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D139 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> Dionysius stated that Demosthenes's only shortcoming is the lack of humour, although Quintilian regards this deficiency as a virtue.<ref name="Dionysius56">Dionysius, ''On the Admirable Style of Demosthenes'', 56; Quintillian, ''Institutiones'', VI, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2007.01.0063%3Abook%3D6%3Achapter%3D3%3Asection%3D2 3.2.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520153432/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2007.01.0063%3Abook%3D6%3Achapter%3D3%3Asection%3D2 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> In a now lost letter, Cicero, though an admirer of the Athenian orator, claimed that occasionally Demosthenes "nods", and elsewhere Cicero also argued that, although he is pre-eminent, Demosthenes sometimes fails to satisfy his ears.<ref>Cicero, ''Orator'', [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml#104 104] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622170646/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml |date=22 June 2015 }}; Plutarch, ''Cicero'', 24.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0016%3Achapter%3D24%3Asection%3D4 4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110356/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0016%3Achapter%3D24%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* D.C. Innes, "Longinus and Caecilius", 262 (note 10).</ref> The main criticism of Demosthenes's art, however, seems to have rested chiefly on his known reluctance to speak {{Lang|la|[[ex tempore]]}};<ref name="Hermippos">J. Bollansie, ''Hermippos of Smyrna'', 415.</ref> he often declined to comment on subjects he had not studied beforehand.<ref name="Thurston" /> However, he gave the most elaborate preparation to all his speeches and, therefore, his arguments were the products of careful study. He was also famous for his caustic wit.<ref name="Pl8">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D8%3Asection%3D3 8.1–4.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520112028/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D8%3Asection%3D3 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

Besides his style, Cicero also admired other aspects of Demosthenes's works, such as the good prose rhythm, and the way he structured and arranged the material in his orations.<ref>C. Wooten, "Cicero's Reactions to Demosthenes", 38–40.</ref> According to the Roman statesman, Demosthenes regarded "delivery" (gestures, voice, etc.) as more important than style.<ref name="Cic38">Cicero, ''Brutus'', [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml#38 38] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629101345/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml |date=29 June 2011 }}, [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml#142 142.]</ref> Although he lacked Aeschines's charming voice and Demades's skill at improvisation, he made efficient use of his body to accentuate his words.<ref>F. Nietzsche, ''Lessons of Rhetoric'', 233–235.</ref> Thus he managed to project his ideas and arguments much more forcefully. However, the use of physical gestures was not an integral or developed part of rhetorical training in his day.<ref>H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On The Crown'', 238 (note 232).</ref> Moreover, his delivery was not accepted by everybody in antiquity: [[Demetrius Phalereus]] and the comedians ridiculed Demosthenes's "theatricality", whilst Aeschines regarded Leodamas of [[Acharnae]] as superior to him.<ref name="Pl9-11">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0002&query=section%3D%23519 139] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502104159/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0002&query=section%3D%23519 |date=2 May 2008 }}; Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D9%3Asection%3D1 9–11.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520144730/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D9%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

Demosthenes relied heavily on the different aspects of ethos, especially [[phronesis]]. When presenting himself to the Assembly, he had to depict himself as a credible and wise statesman and adviser to be persuasive. One tactic that Demosthenes used during his philippics was foresight. He pleaded with his audience to predict the potential of being defeated, and to prepare. He appealed to pathos through patriotism and introducing the atrocities that would befall Athens if it was taken over by Philip. He was a master at "self-fashioning" by referring to his previous accomplishments, and renewing his credibility. He would also slyly undermine his audience by claiming that they had been wrong not to listen before, but they could redeem themselves if they listened and acted with him presently.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Mader|first1=Gottfried|title=Foresight, Hindsight, and the Rhetoric of Self-Fashioning in Demosthenes' Philippic Cycle|journal=Rhetorica: A Journal of the History of Rhetoric|year=2007|volume=25|issue=4|pages=339–360|doi=10.1525/rh.2007.25.4.339|s2cid=145293706 }}</ref>

Demosthenes tailored his style to be very audience-specific. He took pride in not relying on attractive words but rather simple, effective prose. He was mindful of his arrangement, he used clauses to create patterns that would make seemingly complex sentences easy for the hearer to follow. His tendency to focus on delivery promoted him to use repetition, this would ingrain the importance into the audience's minds; he also relied on speed and delay to create suspense and interest among the audience when presenting the most important aspects of his speech. One of his most effective skills was his ability to strike a balance: his works were complex so that the audience would not be offended by any elementary language, but the most important parts were clear and easily understood.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Wooten|first1=Cecil|title=A Triple Division in Demosthenes|journal=Classical Philology|year=1999|volume=94|issue=4|pages=450–454|doi=10.1086/449458|s2cid=162267631}}</ref>

==Rhetorical legacy==
{{Rhetoric}}
Demosthenes is widely considered one of the greatest orators of all time,<ref>Grenville Kleiser, Great Speeches, p 124</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/ancient-history-greece-biographies/demosthenes|title=Demosthenes|newspaper=Encyclopedia|date=23 May 2018}}</ref> and his fame has continued down the ages. Authors and scholars who flourished at [[Ancient Rome|Rome]], such as Longinus and [[Caecilius of Calacte|Caecilius]], regarded his oratory as sublime.<ref>D.C. Innes, 'Longinus and Caecilius", ''passim''.</ref> [[Satires of Juvenal|Juvenal]] acclaimed him as "largus et exundans ingenii fons" (a large and overflowing fountain of genius),<ref name="Juvenal">Juvenal, ''Satura'', X, 119.</ref> and he inspired Cicero's speeches against [[Mark Antony]], also called the [[Philippicae|Philippics]]. According to Professor of [[Classics]] Cecil Wooten, Cicero ended his career by trying to imitate Demosthenes's political role.<ref>C. Wooten, "Cicero's Reactions to Demosthenes", 37.</ref> Plutarch drew attention in his ''Life of Demosthenes'' to the strong similarities between the personalities and careers of Demosthenes and Marcus Tullius Cicero:<ref name="Pl3">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D3%3Asection%3D1 3.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520151808/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D3%3Asection%3D1 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

<blockquote>The divine power seems originally to have designed Demosthenes and Cicero upon the same plan, giving them many similarities in their natural characters, as their passion for distinction and their love of liberty in civil life, and their want of courage in dangers and war, and at the same time also to have added many accidental resemblances. I think there can hardly be found two other orators, who, from small and obscure beginnings, became so great and mighty; who both contested with kings and tyrants; both lost their daughters, were driven out of their country, and returned with honour; who, flying from thence again, were both seized upon by their enemies, and at last ended their lives with the liberty of their countrymen.</blockquote>

[[Image:AeschinesDemosthenes.jpg|thumb|''[[Phryne]] Going to the Public Baths as [[Venus (mythology)|Venus]] and Demosthenes Taunted by Aeschines'' by [[J. M. W. Turner]] (1838).]]

During the [[Middle Ages]] and [[Renaissance]], Demosthenes had a reputation for eloquence.<ref>A. J. L. Blanshard & T. A. Sowerby, "Thomas Wilson's Demosthenes", 46–47, 51–55; {{cite encyclopedia|title=Demosthenes|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2002}}</ref> He was read more than any other ancient orator; only Cicero offered any real competition.<ref>G. Gibson, ''Interpreting a Classic'', 1.</ref> French author and lawyer [[Guillaume du Vair]] praised his speeches for their artful arrangement and elegant style; [[John Jewel]], [[Bishop of Salisbury]], and [[Jacques Amyot]], a French Renaissance writer and translator, regarded Demosthenes as a great or even the "supreme" orator.<ref>W. A. Rebhorn, ''Renaissance Debates on Rhetoric'', 139, 167, 258.</ref> For [[Thomas Wilson (rhetorician)|Thomas Wilson]], who first published translation of his speeches into English, Demosthenes was not only an eloquent orator, but, mainly, an authoritative statesman, "a source of wisdom".<ref>A. J. L. Blanshard & T. A. Sowerby, "Thomas Wilson's Demosthenes", 46–47, 51–55.</ref>

In [[modern history]], orators such as [[Henry Clay]] would [[imitation|mimic]] Demosthenes's technique. His ideas and principles survived, influencing prominent politicians and movements of our times. Hence, he constituted a source of inspiration for the authors of ''[[The Federalist Papers]]'' (a series of 85 essays arguing for the ratification of the [[United States Constitution]]) and for the major orators of the [[French Revolution]].<ref name="Tsatsos352">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 352.</ref> French Prime Minister [[Georges Clemenceau]] was among those who idealised Demosthenes and wrote a book about him.<ref name="Marcu">V. Marcu, ''Men and Forces of Our Time,'' 32.</ref> For his part, Friedrich Nietzsche often composed his sentences according to the paradigms of Demosthenes, whose style he admired.<ref name="Tongeren">F. Nietzsche, ''Beyond Good and Evil'', 247<br />* P. J. M. Van Tongeren, ''Reinterpreting Modern Culture'', 92.</ref>

==Works and transmission==
{{further|Works of Demosthenes}}
The "publication" and distribution of prose texts was common practice in Athens by the latter half of the fourth century&nbsp;BC and Demosthenes was among the Athenian politicians who set the trend, publishing many or even all of his orations.<ref name="Weil66-67">H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On The Crown'', 26; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 66–67.</ref> After his death, texts of his speeches survived in Athens (possibly forming part of the library of Cicero's friend, Atticus, though their fate is otherwise unknown), and in the [[Library of Alexandria]].<ref>However, the speeches that Demosthenes "published" might have differed from the original speeches that were actually delivered (there are indications that he rewrote them with readers in mind) and therefore it is possible also that he "published" different versions of any one speech, differences that could have impacted on the Alexandrian edition of his works and thus on all subsequent editions down to the present day. See H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On The Crown'', 26–27.</ref>

The Alexandrian texts were incorporated into the body of classical Greek literature that was preserved, catalogued and studied by the scholars of the [[Hellenistic civilization|Hellenistic]] period. From then until the fourth century AD, copies of Demosthenes's orations multiplied and they were in a relatively good position to survive the tense period from the sixth until the ninth century&nbsp;AD.<ref name="Yunis28">H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On the Crown'', 28.</ref> In the end, sixty-one orations attributed to Demosthenes survived till the present day (some however are pseudonymous). [[Friedrich Blass]], a German classical scholar, believes that nine more speeches were recorded by the orator, but they are not extant.<ref name="Blass1">F. Blass, ''Die attische Beredsamkeit'', III, 1, 60.</ref> Modern editions of these speeches are based on four [[manuscript]]s of the tenth and eleventh centuries&nbsp;AD.<ref name="Gibson1">C. A. Gibson, ''Interpreting a Classic'', 1; K. A. Kapparis, ''Apollodoros against Neaira'', 62.</ref>

Some of the speeches that comprise the "Demosthenic corpus" are known to have been written by other authors, though scholars differ over which speeches these are.{{Ref label|M|m|none}} Irrespective of their status, the speeches attributed to Demosthenes are often grouped in three genres first defined by Aristotle:<ref>G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 500.</ref>
* ''Symbouleutic'' or ''political'', considering the expediency of future actions—sixteen such speeches are included in the Demosthenic corpus;{{Ref label|M|m|none}}
* ''Dicanic'' or ''judicial'', assessing the justice of past actions—only about ten of these are cases in which Demosthenes was personally involved, the rest were written for other speakers;<ref>G. Kennedy, "Oratory", 514.</ref>
* ''Epideictic'' or ''sophistic display'', attributing praise or blame, often delivered at public ceremonies—only two speeches have been included in the Demosthenic corpus, one a funeral speech that has been dismissed as a "rather poor" example of his work, and the other probably spurious.<ref>G Kennedy, "Oratory", 510.</ref>

In addition to the speeches, there are fifty-six [[prologue]]s (openings of speeches). They were collected for the Library of Alexandria by [[Callimachus]], who believed them genuine.<ref name="MacKie135">I. Worthington, ''Oral Performance'', 135.</ref> Modern scholars are divided: some reject them, while others, such as Blass, believe they are authentic.<ref name="Blass287">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Demosthenes|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedia The Helios|year=1952}}; F. Blass, ''Die Attische Beredsamkeit'', III, 1, 281–287.</ref> Finally, six letters also survive under Demosthenes's name and their authorship too is hotly debated.{{Ref label|N|n|none}}

==Later honours==
The [[Demosthenian Literary Society]], founded in 1803 at the [[University of Georgia]], was named in honor of Demosthenes.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Sheehan |first=Matt |date=15 March 2003 |title="Demosthenian, Notes from a Polite New Yorker" |url=http://www.knotmag.com/?article=584 |journal=Knot Magazine|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070611093932/http://www.knotmag.com/?article=584 |archive-date=11 June 2007 }}</ref> In 1936, an American botanist [[Albert Charles Smith]] named a genus of shrubs in the family [[Ericaceae]], which were native to south America,<ref>{{cite web |title=''Demosthenesia'' A.C.Sm. {{!}} Plants of the World Online {{!}} Kew Science |url=https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:296719-2 |website=Plants of the World Online |access-date=25 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref> as ''Demosthenesia'' in honour of Demosthenes.<ref>{{cite book | last=Burkhardt | first=Lotte | title=Verzeichnis eponymischer Pflanzennamen – Erweiterte Edition |trans-title=Index of Eponymic Plant Names – Extended Edition | publisher=Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum, Freie Universität Berlin | year=2018 | isbn=978-3-946292-26-5 | url=https://doi.org/10.3372/epolist2018 |format=pdf |language=German |location=Berlin | doi=10.3372/epolist2018 | s2cid=187926901 |access-date=1 January 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Pseudo-Demosthenes]]

==Notes==
{{Timeline of Demosthenes' life}}
{{Refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
'''a.''' {{Note label|A|a|none}} According to Edward Cohen, professor of Classics at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], Cleoboule was the daughter of a Scythian woman and of an Athenian father, Gylon, although other scholars insist on the genealogical purity of Demosthenes.<ref name="Cohen76">E. Cohen, ''The Athenian Nation'', 76.</ref> There is an agreement among scholars that Cleoboule was a [[Crimea]]n and not an Athenian citizen.<ref>E. Cohen, ''The Athenian Nation'', 76; "Demosthenes". Encyclopaedia The Helios. 1952.</ref> Gylon had suffered banishment at the end of the [[Peloponnesian War]] for allegedly betraying [[Nymphaion (Crimea)|Nymphaeum]] in Crimaea.<ref>E. M. Burke, ''The Looting of the Estates of the Elder Demosthenes,'' 63.</ref> According to Aeschines, Gylon received as a gift from the [[Bosporan Kingdom|Bosporan]] rulers a place called "the Gardens" in the colony of [[Kepoi]] in present-day Russia (located within two miles (3&nbsp;km) of [[Phanagoria]]).<ref name="AischIII171" /> Nevertheless, the accuracy of these allegations is disputed, since more than seventy years had elapsed between Gylon's possible treachery and Aeschines's speech, and, therefore, the orator could be confident that his audience would have no direct knowledge of events at Nymphaeum.<ref>D. Braund, "The Bosporan Kings and Classical Athens", 200.</ref>

'''b.''' {{Note label|B|b|none}} According to Tsatsos, the trials against the guardians lasted until Demosthenes was twenty-four.<ref>K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 86.</ref> Nietzsche reduces the time of the judicial disputes to five years.<ref name="Nietzsche65">F. Nietzsche, ''Lessons of Rhetoric'', 65.</ref>

'''c.''' {{Note label|C|c|none}} According to the tenth century encyclopedia [[Suda]], Demosthenes studied with [[Eubulides of Miletus|Eubulides]] and Plato.<ref>Suda, article [http://www.stoa.org/sol-bin/search.pl?search_method=QUERY&login=guest&enlogin=guest&page_num=1&user_list=LIST&searchstr=Demosthenes&field=hw_eng&num_per_page=25&db=REAL Demosthenes.]</ref> Cicero and Quintilian argue that Demosthenes was Plato's disciple.<ref name="Cicero">Cicero, ''Brutus'', [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml#121 121] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629101345/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml |date=29 June 2011 }}; Quintilian, ''Institutiones'', XII, 2.[http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/quintilian/quintilian.institutio12.shtml#2 22.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060329123247/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/quintilian/quintilian.institutio12.shtml |date=29 March 2006 }}</ref> Tsatsos and the philologist [[Henri Weil]] believe that there is no indication that Demosthenes was a pupil of Plato or Isocrates.<ref name="Tsatsos84">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 84; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 10–11.</ref> As far as Isaeus is concerned, according to Jebb "the school of Isaeus is nowhere else mentioned, nor is the name of any other pupil recorded".<ref name="Jebb" /> Peck believes that Demosthenes continued to study under Isaeus for the space of four years after he had reached his majority.<ref name="Thurston" />

'''d.''' {{Note label|D|d|none}}"Batalus" or "Batalos" meant "stammerer" in ancient Greek, but it was also the name of a flute-player (in ridicule of whom Antiphanes wrote a play) and of a songwriter.<ref name="Pl4">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D4%3Asection%3D4 4.4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520151820/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D4%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* D. Hawhee, ''Bodily Arts'', 156.</ref> The word "batalus" was also used by the Athenians to describe the [[anus]].<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D4%3Asection%3D4 4.4] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520151820/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D4%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* M. L. Rose, ''The Staff of Oedipus'', 57.</ref> In fact the word actually defining his speech defect was "Battalos", signifying someone with rhotacism, but it was crudely misrepresented as "Batalos" by the enemies of Demosthenes and by Plutarch's time the original word had already lost currency.<ref>H. Yunis, ''Demosthenes: On the Crown'', 211 (note 180).</ref> Another nickname of Demosthenes was "Argas." According to Plutarch, this name was given him either for his savage and spiteful behaviour or for his disagreeable way of speaking. "Argas" was a poetical word for a snake, but also the name of a poet.<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D4%3Asection%3D5 4.5.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155031/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D4%3Asection%3D5 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

'''e.''' {{Note label|E|e|none}} Both Tsatsos and Weil maintain that Demosthenes never abandoned the profession of the logographer, but, after delivering his first political orations, he wanted to be regarded as a statesman. According to James J. Murphy, Professor emeritus of Rhetoric and Communication at the [[University of California, Davis]], his lifelong career as a logographer continued even during his most intense involvement in the political struggle against Philip.<ref name="Tsatsos90">{{cite encyclopedia|title=Demosthenes|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2002}}; K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 90; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demothenes'', 17.</ref>

'''f.''' {{Note label|F|f|none}} "Theorika" were allowances paid by the state to poor Athenians to enable them to watch dramatic festivals. According to Libanius, Eubulus passed a law making it difficult to divert public funds, including "theorika," for minor military operations.<ref name="Romilly116-117" /> E. M. Burke argues that, if this was indeed a law of Eubulus, it would have served "as a means to check a too-aggressive and expensive interventionism [...] allowing for the controlled expenditures on other items, including construction for defense". Thus Burke believes that in the Eubulan period, the Theoric Fund was used not only as allowances for public entertainment but also for a variety of projects, including public works.<ref>E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 175, 185.</ref> As Burke also points out, in his later and more "mature" political career, Demosthenes no longer criticised "theorika"; in fact, in his ''Fourth Philippic'' (341–340&nbsp;BC), he defended theoric spending.<ref>Demosthenes, ''Fourth Philippic'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0070%3Aspeech%3D10%3Asection%3D35 35–45] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520143140/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0070%3Aspeech%3D10%3Asection%3D35 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* E. M. Burke, "The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes", 188.</ref>

'''g.''' {{Note label|G|g|none}} In the ''Third Olynthiac'' and in the ''Third Philippic'', Demosthenes characterised Philip as a "barbarian", one of the various abusive terms applied by the orator to the king of Macedon.<ref name="OlynthiacIII16,24">Demosthenes, ''Third Olynthiac'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac III#3:16|16]] and [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac III#3:24|24]]; Demosthenes, ''Third Philippic'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic III#9:31|31]]<br />* D. M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 13; I. Worthington, ''Alexander the Great'', 21.</ref> According to Konstantinos Tsatsos and [[Douglas M. MacDowell]], Demosthenes regarded as Greeks only those who had reached the cultural standards of south Greece and he did not take into consideration ethnological criteria.<ref name="Tsatsos258">D.M. MacDowell, ''Demosthenes the Orator'', ch. 13<br />* K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 258.</ref> His contempt for Philip is forcefully expressed in the ''Third Philippic'' 31 in these terms: "...he is not only no Greek, nor related to the Greeks, but not even a barbarian from any place that can be named with honour, but a pestilent knave from Macedonia, whence it was never yet possible to buy a decent slave." The wording is even more telling in Greek, ending with an accumulation of plosive pi sounds: {{lang|grc|οὐ μόνον οὐχ Ἕλληνος ὄντος οὐδὲ προσήκοντος οὐδὲν τοῖς Ἕλλησιν, ἀλλ᾽ οὐδὲ βαρβάρου ἐντεῦθεν ὅθεν καλὸν εἰπεῖν, ἀλλ᾽ ὀλέθρου Μακεδόνος, ὅθεν οὐδ᾽ ἀνδράποδον σπουδαῖον οὐδὲν ἦν πρότερον πρίασθαι.}}<ref>J. H. Vince, ''Demosthenes'' I, 242–243.</ref> Nevertheless, Philip, in his letter to the council and people of Athens, mentioned by Demosthenes, places himself "with the rest of the Greeks".<ref>Demosthenes, ''Philip's Letter to Athenians'', Speeches, [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0072%3Aspeech%3D12%3Asection%3D1 12.6] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201104174632/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0072%3Aspeech%3D12%3Asection%3D1 |date=4 November 2020 }}: "This is the most amazing exploit of all; for, before the king [Artaxerxes III] reduced Egypt and Phoenicia, you passed a decree calling on me to make common cause with the rest of the Greeks against him, in case he attempted to interfere with us".</ref>

'''h.''' {{Note label|H|h|none}} Aeschines maintained that Demosthenes was bribed to drop his charges against Meidias in return for a payment of thirty [[mina (unit)|mnai]]. Plutarch argued that Demosthenes accepted the bribe out of fear of Meidias's power.<ref name="AischIII52Pl">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D52 52] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155104/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D52 |date=20 May 2012 }}; Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 12.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D12%3Asection%3D2 2] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155135/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D12%3Asection%3D2 |date=20 May 2012 }}<br />* E.M. Harris, "Demosthenes' Speech against Meidias", 118.</ref> [[Philipp August Böckh]] also accepted Aeschines's account for an out-of-court settlement, and concluded that the speech was never delivered. Böckh's position was soon endorsed by Arnold Schaefer and Blass. Weil agreed that Demosthenes never delivered ''Against Meidias'', but believed that he dropped the charges for political reasons. In 1956, [[Hartmut Erbse]] partly challenged Böckh's conclusions, when he argued that ''Against Meidias'' was a finished speech that could have been delivered in court, but Erbse then sided with [[George Grote]], by accepting that, after Demosthenes secured a judgment in his favour, he reached some kind of settlement with Meidias. [[Kenneth Dover]] also endorsed Aeschines's account, and argued that, although the speech was never delivered in court, Demosthenes put into circulation an attack on Meidias. Dover's arguments were refuted by Edward M. Harris, who concluded that, although we cannot be sure about the outcome of the trial, the speech was delivered in court, and that Aeschines's story was a lie.<ref name="Weil28">E.M. Harris, "Demosthenes' Speech against Meidias", ''passim''; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 28.</ref>

'''i.''' {{Note label|I|i|none}} According to Plutarch, Demosthenes deserted his colours and "did nothing honorable, nor was his performance answerable to his speeches".<ref name="Pl20">Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 20; Pseudo-Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', 845ff.</ref>

'''j.''' {{Note label|J|j|none}} Aeschines reproached Demosthenes for being silent as to the seventy talents of the king's gold which he allegedly seized and embezzled. Aeschines and [[Dinarchus]] also maintained that when the Arcadians offered their services for ten talents, Demosthenes refused to furnish the money to the Thebans, who were conducting the negotiations, and so the Arcadians sold out to the Macedonians.<ref name="Dinarchus">Aeschines, ''Against Ctesiphon'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D239 239–240] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520110431/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0002%3Aspeech%3D3%3Asection%3D239 |date=20 May 2012 }}; Dinarcus, ''Against Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0082%3Aspeech%3D1%3Asection%3D18 18–21.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155059/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0082%3Aspeech%3D1%3Asection%3D18 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref>

'''k.''' {{Note label|K|k|none}} The exact chronology of Harpalus's entrance into Athens and of all the related events remains a debated topic among modern scholars, who have proposed different, and sometimes conflicting, chronological schemes.<ref>I. Apostolidis, note 1219 ''in'' J.G. Droysen, ''History of Alexander the Great'', 719–720; J. Engels, ''Hypereides'', 308–313; I. Worthington, ''Harpalus Affair'', ''passim''.</ref>

'''l.''' {{Note label|L|l|none}} According to [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], Demosthenes himself and others had declared that the orator had taken no part of the money that Harpalus brought from Asia. He also narrates the following story: Shortly after Harpalus ran away from Athens, he was put to death by the servants who were attending him, though some assert that he was assassinated. The steward of his money fled to Rhodes, and was arrested by a Macedonian officer, [[Philoxenus (general)|Philoxenus]]. Philoxenus proceeded to examine the slave, "until he learned everything about such as had allowed themselves to accept a bribe from Harpalus." He then sent a dispatch to Athens, in which he gave a list of the persons who had taken a bribe from Harpalus. "Demosthenes, however, he never mentioned at all, although Alexander held him in bitter hatred, and he himself had a private quarrel with him."<ref name="Pausanias">Pausanias, ''Description of Greece'', 2.[https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D2%3Achapter%3D33%3Asection%3D4 33.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155046/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0160%3Abook%3D2%3Achapter%3D33%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> On the other hand, Plutarch believes that Harpalus sent Demosthenes a cup with twenty talents and that "Demosthenes could not resist the temptation, but admitting the present, ... he surrendered himself up to the interest of Harpalus."<ref>Plutarch, ''Demosthenes'', [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D25%3Asection%3D4 25.4.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520160751/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0039%3Achapter%3D25%3Asection%3D4 |date=20 May 2012 }}</ref> Tsatsos defends Demosthenes's innocence, but Irkos Apostolidis underlines the problematic character of the primary sources on this issue—Hypereides and Dinarchus were at the time Demosthenes's political opponents and accusers—and states that, despite the rich bibliography on Harpalus's case, modern scholarship has not yet managed to reach a safe conclusion on whether Demosthenes was bribed or not.<ref>I. Apostolidis, note 1229 (with further references), ''in'' J. G. Droysen, ''History of Alexander the Great'', 725; K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 307–309.</ref>

'''m.''' {{Note label|M|m|none}} Blass disputes the authorship of the following speeches: ''Fourth Philippic'', ''Funeral Oration'', ''Erotic Essay,'' ''Against Stephanus 2'' and ''Against Evergus and Mnesibulus'',<ref name="Blass2">F. Blass, ''Die attische Beredsamkeit'', III, 1, 404–406 and 542–546.</ref> while Schaefer recognises as genuine only twenty-nine orations.<ref name="Schaefer">A. Schaefer, ''Demosthenes und seine Zeit'', III, 111, 178, 247 and 257; H. Weil, ''Biography of Demosthenes'', 66–67.</ref> Of Demosthenes's corpus political speeches,  J. H. Vince singles out five as spurious: ''On Halonnesus'', ''Fourth Philippic'', ''Answer to Philip's Letter'', ''On Organization'' and ''On the Treaty with Alexander''.<ref>J. H. Vince, ''Demosthenes Orations'', 268, 317, 353, 463.</ref>

'''n.''' {{Note label|N|n|none}}  In this discussion the work of Jonathan A. Goldstein, Professor of History and Classics at the [[University of Iowa]], is regarded as paramount.<ref>F. J. Long, ''Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology'', 102; M. Trap, ''Greek and Latin Letters'', 12.</ref> Goldstein regards Demosthenes's letters as authentic apologetic letters that were addressed to the Athenian Assembly.<ref>J. A. Goldstein, ''The Letters of Demosthenes'', 93.</ref>
{{Refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Sources==
===Primary sources (Greeks and Romans)===
{{Refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Aeschines]], ''Against Ctesiphon.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0001%3aspeech%3d3 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030247/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0001:speech%3D3 |date=15 June 2021 }}.
* Aeschines, ''Against Timarchus.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0001%3aspeech%3d1 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030240/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0001:speech%3D1 |date=15 June 2021 }}.
* Aeschines, ''The Speech on the Embassy.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0001%3aspeech%3d2 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030251/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0001:speech%3D2 |date=15 June 2021 }}.
* [[Athenaeus]], ''[[Deipnosophistae]]''. Translated into English by [https://books.google.com/books?id=wh1FAQAAIAAJ Charles Duke Yonge].
* [[Cicero]], ''Brutus''. See the original text in [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml#121 the Latin Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629101345/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/brut.shtml#121 |date=29 June 2011 }}
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Cicero, ''[[s:On oratory|De Oratore]].'' See original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.02.0120 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301143948/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.02.0120 |date=1 March 2021 }}.
* Cicero, ''Orator''. See the original text in [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml the Latin Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150622170646/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/cicero/orator.shtml |date=22 June 2015 }}.
* Demades, ''On the Twelve Years''. See original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0065 Perseus Project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210311130128/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0065 |date=11 March 2021 }}.
* Demosthenes, ''Against Aphobus 1.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0073%3aspeech%3d27 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109094255/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0073:speech=27 |date=9 November 2020 }}.
* Demosthenes, ''Against Aphobus 3.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0074:speech=29:section=1 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080502104326/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0074:speech=29:section=1 |date=2 May 2008 }}.
* Demosthenes, ''Against Aristocrates.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D23%3Asection%3D121 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520155141/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0074%3Aspeech%3D23%3Asection%3D121 |date=20 May 2012 }}.
* Demosthenes, ''Against Meidias.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0073%3aspeech%3d21 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029110349/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0073:speech=21 |date=29 October 2020 }}.
* Demosthenes, ''Against Zenothemis.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0075%3aspeech%3d32 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331225633/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0075:speech=32 |date=31 March 2021 }}.
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac I|First Olynthiac]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic I|First Philippic]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/For the Freedom of the Rhodians|For the Freedom of the Rhodians]]''
* Demosthenes, ''Fourth Philippic''. See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0069%3aspeech%3d10 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122080044/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0069%3Aspeech%3D10 |date=22 November 2020 }}.
* Demosthenes (or Hegesippus), ''On Halonnesus''. See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0069%3aspeech%3d7 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122080039/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0069%3Aspeech%3D7 |date=22 November 2020 }}.
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown|On the Crown]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Embassy|On the False Embassy]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Peace|On the Peace]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac II|Second Olynthiac]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic II|Second Philippic]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Olynthiac III|Third Olynthiac]].''
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] Demosthenes, ''[[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/Philippic III|Third Philippic]].''
* [[Dinarchus]], ''Against Demosthenes.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0081%3aspeech%3d1 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030242/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0081:speech%3D1 |date=15 June 2021 }}.
* [[Diodorus Siculus]], ''Library.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0083 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210302025741/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0083 |date=2 March 2021 }}.
* [[Dionysius of Halicarnassus]], ''On the Admirable Style of Demosthenes.''
* [[Hypereides]],''Against Demosthenes.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0139%3aspeech%3d5 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320094248/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0139%3Aspeech%3D5 |date=20 March 2021 }}
* [[Juvenal]], ''Saturae.'' See original text in [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/juvenal.html the Latin Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224010932/http://thelatinlibrary.com/juvenal.html |date=24 December 2018 }}. Translated into English by [https://books.google.com/books?id=-_OTYK8Sbr8C&dq=Juvenal+,+Demosthenes+largus&pg=PA9 M. Madan]
* [[Cassius Longinus (philosopher)|Longinus]], ''On the Sublime.'' Translated by [https://web.archive.org/web/20110806092832/http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/longinus/desub011.htm W. Rhys Roberts]
* [[Lucian]], ''Demosthenes, An Encomium.'' Translated in [http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl4/wl429.htm Sacred Texts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512082639/http://sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl4/wl429.htm |date=12 May 2006 }}
* Lucian, ''The Illiterate Book-Fancier.'' Translated in [http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl320.htm Sacred Texts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060512083034/http://sacred-texts.com/cla/luc/wl3/wl320.htm |date=12 May 2006 }}
* [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0159 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224160546/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0159 |date=24 February 2021 }}.
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] [[Plutarch]], ''[[s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Cicero|Cicero]]''. See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2008.01.0090 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729231143/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2008.01.0090 |date=29 July 2020 }}.
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] [[Plutarch]], ''[[s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Demosthenes|Demosthenes]]''. See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2008.01.0111 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210323022228/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:2008.01.0111 |date=23 March 2021 }}.
* [[Image:wikisource-logo.svg|15px]] [[Plutarch]], ''[[s:Lives (Dryden translation)/Phocion|Phocion]]''. See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2008.01.0122 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729190735/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2008.01.0122 |date=29 July 2020 }}.
* [[Polybius]], ''Histories.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a1999.01.0233 Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203140358/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0233 |date=3 February 2021 }}
* [[Pseudo-Plutarch]], ''Aeschines.'' See Charles Barcroft's [http://www.attalus.org/old/orators1.html translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200905042043/http://www.attalus.org/old/orators1.html |date=5 September 2020 }}.
* Pseudo-Plutarch, ''Demosthenes.'' See Charles Barcroft's [http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/plu10or/pludemos.htm translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806093125/http://classicpersuasion.org/pw/plu10or/pludemos.htm |date=6 August 2011 }}.
* [[Quintilian]], ''Institutiones.'' See the original text in [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2007.01.0059%3abook%3depTryph Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210531013218/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3atext%3a2007.01.0059%3abook%3depTryph |date=31 May 2021 }} and [http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/quintilian/quintilian.institutio1.shtml the Latin Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120203103/http://www.thelatinlibrary.com/quintilian/quintilian.institutio1.shtml |date=20 January 2012 }}.
{{Refend}}

===Secondary sources===
{{Refbegin|colwidth=30em}}
* {{cite book | last=Badian | first=Ernst | author-link=Ernst Badian | editor=Worthington, Ian| title=Demosthenes: Statesman and Orator | publisher=Routledge | year=2002 | chapter= The Road to Prominence | isbn=978-0-203-18769-2}}
* {{cite journal|last1=Blanshard|first1=Alastair J. L.|last2=Sowerby|first2=Tracey A.|title=Thomas Wilson's Demosthenes and the Politics of Tudor Translation|journal=International Journal of the Classical Tradition|volume=12|issue=1|jstor=30222776|date=Summer 2005|pages=46–80|doi=10.1007/s12138-005-0010-7|s2cid=154402448}}
* {{cite book | last=Blass | first=Friedrich | title=Die Attische Beredsamkeit: Demosthenes|language=de|volume=III, 1|edition=2nd|place=Leipzig|publisher=B. G. Teubner | year=1893}}
* {{cite book | last=Bolansie | first=J. | title=Herrmippos of Smyrna | publisher=Brill Academic Publishers | year=1999 | isbn=978-90-04-11303-9}}
* {{cite book|last=Braund|first=David|title=The Cauldron of Ariantas|publisher=Aarhus University Press|year=2003|isbn=978-87-7934-085-5|editor1-first=Pia Guldager|editor1-last=Bilde|editor2-first=Jakob Munk|editor2-last=Højte|editor3-first=Vladimir F.|editor3-last=Stolba|url=https://www.academia.edu/41212725 |chapter-url=http://www.pontos.dk/publications/books/bss-1-files/BSS1_16_Braund.pdf|chapter=The Bosporan Kings and Classical Athens|access-date=19 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928023759/http://www.pontos.dk/publications/books/bss-1-files/BSS1_16_Braund.pdf|archive-date=28 September 2007|url-status=dead}}
* {{cite book | last=Burke | first=Edmund M. | title=Classica et Mediaevalia V. 49 edited by Ole Thomsen| publisher=Museum Tusculanum Press | year=1998 | isbn=978-87-7289-535-2 | chapter=The Looting of the Estate of the Elder Pericles | title-link=Classica et Mediaevalia }}
* {{cite journal|last=Burke|first=Edmund M.|title=The Early Political Speeches of Demosthenes: Elite Bias in the Response to Economic Crisis|journal=Classical Antiquity|volume=21|issue=2|jstor=10.1525/ca.2002.21.2.165|date=October 2002|pages=165–193|doi=10.1525/ca.2002.21.2.165}}
* {{cite book | last=Carey | first=Chris | title=Aeschines | publisher=University of Texas Press | year=2000 | isbn=978-0-292-71223-2}}
* {{cite book|first=George |last=Cawkwell | author-link=George Cawkwell |title=Philip II of Macedon |publisher=[[Faber & Faber]] |year=1978 |isbn=978-0-571-10958-6}}
* {{cite book | last=Cohen | first=Edward | title=The Athenian Nation| publisher=[[Princeton University Press]] | year=2002 | isbn=978-0-691-09490-8 | chapter=The Local Residents of Attica }}
* {{cite book | last=Cox | first=Cheryl Anne| title=Household Interests: Property, Marriage Strategies, and Family Dynamics in Ancient Athens| publisher=Princeton University Press| year=1998 | isbn= 978-0-691-01572-9|chapter=The Nonkinsman, the Oikos, and the Household}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|title=Demosthenes|encyclopedia=Encyclopaedic Dictionary The Helios|year=1952|volume=5|language=el}}
* {{cite book | last=Droysen | first=Johann Gustav| author-link=Johann Gustav Droysen|language=el |translator-first=Renos |translator-last=Apostolidis |title=History of Alexander the Great| publisher=Credit Bank (Trapeza Pisteos)| year=1999 | isbn= 978-960-85313-5-2|editor1-first=Renos |editor1-last=Apostolidis|editor2-first=Irkos|editor2-last=Apostolidis|editor3-first=Stantis |editor3-last=Apostolidis}}
* {{cite book | last=Dunkan | first=Anne | title=Performance and Identity in the Classical World | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2006 | isbn=978-0-521-85282-1}}
* {{cite book | last=Engels | first=Johannes | title=Studien zur politischen Biographie des Hypereides | publisher=Tuduv | year=1989| isbn=978-3-88073-295-7|language=de}}
* {{cite book | last=Gibson | first=Graig A. | title=Interpreting a Classic | publisher=University of California Press | year=2002 | isbn=978-0-520-22956-3}}
* {{cite book | last=Goldstein | first=Jonathan A. | title=The Letters of Demosthenes | url=https://archive.org/details/lettersofdemosth0000gold | url-access=registration | publisher=Columbia University Press | year=1968}}
* {{cite book | last=Green | first=Peter | title=Alexander of Macedon, 356–323 B.C. | publisher=University of California Press | year=1992 | isbn=978-0-520-07166-7 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/alexanderofmaced0000gree }}
* {{cite book | last=Habinek | first=Thomas N. | title=Ancient Rhetoric and Oratory | publisher=Blackwell Publishing | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-631-23515-6}}
* {{cite book | last=Hamilton| first=J. R. | title=Alexander the Great | publisher=University of Pittsburgh Press | year=1974| isbn=978-0-8229-6084-3}}
* {{cite book | last=Hansen| first=Mogens Herman | title=The Athenian Democracy in the Age of Demosthenes | url=https://archive.org/details/atheniandemocrac00hans| url-access=registration| publisher=University of Oklahoma State | year=1999| isbn=978-0-8061-3143-6}}
* {{cite journal|last=Harris|first=Edward M.|title=Demosthenes' Speech against Meidias|journal=Harvard Studies in Classical Philology|volume=92|jstor=311355|year=1989|pages=117–136|doi=10.2307/311355}}
* {{cite book | last=Hawhee | first=Debra | title=Bodily Arts: Rhetoric and Athletics in Ancient Greece | publisher=University of Texas Press | year=2005 | isbn=978-0-292-70584-5}}
* {{cite journal|last=Innes|first=D. C.|title=Longinus and Caecilius: Models of the Sublime|journal=Mnemosyne |series=Fourth Series|volume=55|issue=3|jstor=4433333|year=2002|pages=259–284|doi=10.1163/156852502760185261}}
* {{cite book | last=Jaeger | first=Werner | title= Demosthenes | publisher=Walter de Gruyter Company | year=1938| isbn=978-3-11-002527-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Jebb |first=Sir Richard Claverhouse | title=The Attic Orators from Antiphon to Isaeos | url=https://archive.org/details/1181614.0001.001.umich.edu | publisher=Macmillan and Co. | year=1876}}
* {{cite book | last=Kapparis |first=Konstantinos A. | title=Apollodoros Against Neaira | publisher=Walter de Gruyter | year=1999 | isbn=978-3-11-016390-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Kennedy |first=George A. |editor2-first=Bernard M. W |editor2-last=Knox |editor1-first=P. E |editor1-last=Easterling | editor1-link=P. E. Easterling |title=The Cambridge History of Classical Literature: Greek Literature| publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=1985 | chapter=Oratory|isbn=978-0-521-21042-3|doi=10.1017/CHOL9780521210423}}
* {{cite book | last=Long |first=Fredrick J. | title=Ancient Rhetoric and Paul's Apology | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-521-84233-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Macaulay|first=Thomas Babington|title=The Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches of Lord Macaulay Volume I|year=2004|publisher=Kessinger Publishing|isbn=978-1-4191-7417-9|chapter=On Mitford's History of Greece}}
* {{cite book | last=MacDowell | first=Douglas M. | title=Demosthenes the Orator | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2009 | edition=digital | isbn=978-0-19-160873-5}}
* {{cite book | last=Marcu | first=Valeru | title=Men and Forces of Our Time | publisher=Kessinger Publishing | year=2005 | isbn=978-1-4179-9529-5}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|title=Demosthenes|last=Murphy|first=James J.|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|year=2002}}
* {{cite book | last=Nietzsche | first=Friedrich | title=Beyond Good and Evil | publisher=The Complete Works of Friedrich Nietzsche | year=1909–1913}}
* {{cite book | last=Nietzsche | first=Friedrich | title=Lessons of Rhetoric | publisher=Plethron (from the Greek translation) | year=1975}}
* {{cite book| last=Paparrigopoulos | first=Constantine | author-link=Constantine Paparrigopoulos|editor-first=Pavlos|editor-last=Karolidis|year=1925 |title=History of the Hellenic Nation|volume=Ab| publisher=Eleftheroudakis|language=el}}
* {{cite book | last=Peck | first=Harry Thurston| title=Harper's Dictionary Of Classical Literature And Antiquities | year=1898}}
* {{cite book | last=Phillips | first=David | title=Athenian Political Oratory: 16 Key Speeches | publisher=Routledge (UK) | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-415-96609-2|chapter=Philip and Athens}}
* {{cite book | last=Pickard | first=A. W. | title=Demosthenes and the Last Days of Greek Freedom 384–322 B.C | publisher=Gorgias Press LLC | year=2003 | isbn=978-1-59333-030-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Phillips | first=David | title=Athenian Political Oratory| publisher=Routledge (UK) | year=2004 | isbn=978-0-415-96609-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Romilly de | first=Jacqueline | title=A Short History of Greek Literature | publisher=University of Chicago Press | year=1996 | isbn=978-0-8014-8206-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Romilly de | first=Jacqueline | title=Ancient Greece against Violence (translated in Greek) | publisher=To Asty | year=2001 | isbn=978-960-86331-5-5}}
* {{cite book | last=Rebhorn | first=Wayne A. | title=Renaissance Debates on Rhetoric | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1999 | isbn=978-0-226-14312-5}}
* {{cite book | first=P. J. | last=Rhodes | title=A History of the Classical Greek World | publisher=Blackwell Publishing | year=2005 | isbn=978-0-631-22564-5|chapter=Philip II of Macedon}}
* {{cite book | last=Rose | first=M. L. | title=The Staff of Oedipus | publisher= University of Michigan Press | year=2003 | isbn=978-0-472-11339-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Schaefer | first=Arnold | title=Demosthenes und seine Zeit (in German). Third Volume | publisher=B. G. Teubner | year=1885}}
* {{cite book | last=Slusser | first=G. | title=Nursery Realms edited by G. Westfahl | publisher=University of Georgia Press | year=1999 | isbn=978-0-8203-2144-8 | chapter=Ender's Game}}
* {{cite book|last=Thomsen|first=Ole|title=The Looting of the Estate of the Elder Demosthenes|journal=Classica et Mediaevalia&nbsp;– Revue Danoise de Philologie et d'Histoire|volume=49|pages=45–66|year=1998|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2JB_rQpAv80C&q=Demosthenes,+Thomsen&pg=PA45|isbn=978-87-7289-535-2|access-date=8 October 2006|publisher=Museum Tusculanum Press}}
* {{cite book | last=Trapp | first=Michael | title=Greek and Latin Letters | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2003 | isbn=978-0-521-49943-9 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/greeklatinletter0000unse }}
* {{cite book | last=Tritle | first=Lawrence A. | title=The Greek World in the Fourth Century | url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9780415105835 | url-access=registration | publisher=Routledge (UK) | year=1997 | isbn=978-0-415-10583-5}}
* {{cite book | last=Tsatsos | first=Konstantinos | title=Demosthenes | publisher=Estia (in Greek) | year=1975}}
* {{cite book | last=Usher | first=Stephen | title=Greek Oratory: Tradition and Originality | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=1999 | isbn=978-0-19-815074-9|chapter=Demosthenes Symboulos}}
* {{cite book | last=Van Tongeren | first=Paul J. M. | title=Reinterpreting Modern Culture: An Introduction to Friedrich Nietzsche's Philosophy | publisher=Purdue University Press | year=1999 | isbn=978-1-55753-156-8}}
* {{cite book | last=Vince | first=J. H. | title=Demosthenes Orations Vol. 1 | publisher=Loeb Classical Library | year=1930 |chapter=Preface}}
* {{cite book | last=Weil | first=Henri | title=Biography of Demosthenes in "Demosthenes' Orations" | publisher=Papyros (from the Greek translation) | year=1975}}
* {{cite book | last=Westwood | first=Guy  | title=The Rhetoric of the Past in Demosthenes and Aeschines | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2020}}
* {{cite book|last=Whitehead|first=David|title=Hypereides: the Forensic Speeches |publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=978-0-19-815218-7|year=2000}}
* {{cite journal|last=Wooten|first=Cecil|title=Cicero's Reactions to Demosthenes: A Clarification|journal=The Classical Journal|volume=73|issue=1|jstor=3296953|date=October–November 1977|pages=37–43}}
* {{cite journal|last=Worman|first=Nancy|title=Insult and Oral Excess in the Disputes between Aeschines and Demosthenes|journal=The American Journal of Philology|volume=125|issue=1|jstor=1562208|date=Spring 2004|pages=1–25|doi=10.1353/ajp.2004.0011|s2cid=163140669}}
* {{cite book|last=Worthington|first=Ian|title=Alexander the Great: A Reader|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-415-29187-3|year=2003|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/alexandergreatre0001unse}}
* {{cite book | last=Worthington | first=Ian | title=Oral Performance and its Context edited by C.J. MacKie | publisher=Brill Academic Publishers | year=2004 | isbn=978-90-04-13680-9|chapter=Oral Performance in the Athenian Assembly and the Demosthenic Prooemia}}
* {{cite journal|last=Worthington|first=Ian|title=The Chronology of the Harpalus Affair|journal=Symbolae Osloenses|volume=61|issue=1|year=1986|doi=10.1080/00397678608590798|pages=63–76}}
* {{cite book | last=Yunis | first=Harvey | title=Demosthenes: On the Crown | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2001 | isbn=978-0-521-62930-0}}
* {{cite book | last=Yunis | first=Harvey | title=The Cambridge Companion to Ancient Greek Law edited by Michael Gagarin, David Cohen| publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=2005 | isbn=978-0-521-81840-7|chapter=The Rhetoric of Law in Fourth-Century Athens}}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* {{cite book|last=Adams|first=Charles Darwin|title=Demosthenes and His Influence|year=1927|publisher=Longmans|location=New York}}
* {{cite book | last=Brodribb | first=William Jackson | title=Demosthenes| url=https://archive.org/details/demosthenes00brodgoog | publisher=J. B. Lippincott & co. | year=1877}}
* {{cite book | last=Bryan | first=William Jennings  | title= The world's famous orations (Volume 1) | publisher=New York: Funk and Wagnalls Company | year=1906}}
* {{cite book | last=Butcher | first=Samuel Henry | title=Demosthenes | publisher=Macmillan & co. | year=1888}}
* {{cite book | last=Clemenceau | first=Georges | title=Demosthène | publisher= Plon | year=1926}}
* {{cite book | last=Easterling P. E. | first= Knox Bernard M. W. | title=The Cambridge History of Classical Literature | publisher=Cambridge University Press | year=1985| isbn=978-0-521-21042-3}}
* {{cite book|last=Kennedy|first=George A.|title=Art of Persuasion in Greece|year=1963|publisher=Princeton University press|location=Princeton, NJ}}
* {{cite book|editor-last=Murphy|editor-first=James J.|title=Demosthenes' "On the Crown": A Critical Case Study of a Masterpiece of Ancient Oratory|year=1967|publisher=Random House|location=New York}}
* {{cite book|last=Pearson|first=Lionel|title=The art of Demosthenes|year=1981|publisher=Scholars press|location=Chico, CA|isbn=978-0-89130-551-4}}
* {{cite book|last=Renault|first=Mary|title=The nature of Alexander|url=https://archive.org/details/natureofalexande00rand|url-access=registration|year=1975|publisher=New York, Pantheon Books}} Here and in her fiction, Renault portrays Demosthenes as corrupt, cowardly and cruel.
{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}{{wikiquote}}{{wikisource|works=or}}
{{EB9 Poster|Demosthenes}}
{{Library resources box |by=no |onlinebooks=yes |others=yes |about=yes |label=Demosthenes
  |viaf= |lcheading= |wikititle= }}
{{Refbegin}}
* [http://library.thinkquest.org/C001146/curriculum.php3?action=item_view&item_id=22&print_view=1 Art of Speech] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311130525/http://library.thinkquest.org/C001146/curriculum.php3?action=item_view&item_id=22&print_view=1 |date=11 March 2007 }}
* [https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9029911 Britannica online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071228090803/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9029911 |date=28 December 2007 }}
* [https://www.livius.org/de-dh/demosthenes/demosthenes.html Lendering, Jona] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130522032140/https://www.livius.org/de-dh/demosthenes/demosthenes.html |date=22 May 2013 }}
* [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674992634 Orations, Volume I — Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press] 
* [https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674991712 Orations, Volume II — Loeb Classical Library, Harvard University Press]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081201150346/http://www.third-millennium-library.com/readinghall/GalleryofHistory/DEMOSTHENES/DOOR.html Pickard A. W.]}}
* [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Demosthenes&redirect=true Works by and about Demosthenes at Perseus Digital Library] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210615030245/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Demosthenes&redirect=true |date=15 June 2021 }}
* {{Gutenberg author |id=2233}}
* {{Internet Archive author}}
* {{Librivox author |id=9246}}
{{Refend}}

{{Refbegin}}
;His era
* [http://www.san.beck.org/EC22-Alexander.html Beck, Sanderson: Philip, Demosthenes, and Alexander] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060701025518/http://www.san.beck.org/EC22-Alexander.html |date=1 July 2006 }}
* [http://www.stoa.org/projects/demos/article_assembly?page=7&greekEncoding=UnicodeC/ Blackwell, Christopher W.: The Assembly during Demosthenes' era] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070311192312/http://www.stoa.org/projects/demos/article_assembly?page=7&greekEncoding=UnicodeC%2F |date=11 March 2007 }}
* [https://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261110/ancient-Greek-civilization Britannica online: Macedonian supremacy in Greece] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081118182705/http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-261110/ancient-Greek-civilization |date=18 November 2008 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080829112619/http://www.ellopos.net/elpenor/greek-texts/ancient-greece/history-of-ancient-greece-19-philip.asp Smith, William: A Smaller History of Ancient Greece-Philip of Macedon]

;Miscellaneous
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080921040339/http://www.rhapsodes.fll.vt.edu/demosthenes.htm SORGLL:  Demosthenes, On the Crown 199–208; read by Stephen Daitz]
* [http://www.stoa.org/projects/demos/article_libanius?page=33&greekEncoding=Unicode Libanius, Hypotheses to the Orations of Demosthenes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312201350/http://www.stoa.org/projects/demos/article_libanius?page=33&greekEncoding=Unicode |date=12 March 2007 }}
{{Refend}}

{{Demosthenes's works}}
{{Attic orators}}
{{Ancient Athenian statesmen}}
{{Ancient Greece topics}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Demosthenes}}
[[Category:Demosthenes| ]]
[[Category:384 BC births]]
[[Category:322 BC deaths]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Athenians]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Greek politicians]]
[[Category:Attic orators]]
[[Category:People who died under the regency of Antipater]]
[[Category:People with speech disorders]]
[[Category:Philip II of Macedon]]
[[Category:Greek politicians who died by suicide]]
[[Category:Suicides by poison]]
[[Category:Suicides in ancient Greece]]
[[Category:4th-century BC diplomats]]
[[Category:People associated with Alexander the Great]]