Demosthenes

Demosthenes was a famous speaker and leader from ancient Athens. He lived from 384 BC to 322 BC. He was known for his powerful speeches, which helped people understand important events and ideas in ancient Greece.

Demosthenes learned to speak well by studying earlier great speakers. He began giving speeches when he was 20 years old and later spoke about politics. He worked hard to protect Athens from the growing power of nearby Macedon, led by Philip II. He wanted Athens to stay free and strong.

After Philip II died, Demosthenes helped lead a revolt against the new king, Alexander the Great, but it failed. To avoid being captured, Demosthenes chose to end his own life. Even after his death, he was remembered as one of the greatest speakers in history. Famous writers like Cicero praised him for his speaking skills.

Early years and personal life

Demosthenes was born in 384 BC. His father, also named Demosthenes, made swords for a living. When Demosthenes was young, his father died and he was left in the care of guardians who did not look after his money well.

Bust of Demosthenes (British Museum, London), Roman copy of a Greek original sculpted by Polyeuktos.

Demosthenes wanted to become a great speaker, so he studied and practiced a lot. He even built a special underground room to practice his speeches. When he was old enough, he went to court to get back what was rightfully his. He gave several speeches to prove his case and got back some of his family’s property.

He later married and had a daughter, but she passed away when she was very young. Demosthenes faced many challenges, but he kept working hard and became one of the most famous speakers of his time.

Career

Demosthenes was a famous speaker and leader in ancient Athens. He started by writing speeches for people to use in court and later began speaking himself. He became very skilled at handling many kinds of cases.

Demosthenes got involved in city politics early. He held important jobs and spoke out against unfair taxes and corruption. He believed in supporting Athens's navy and working with other cities.

Demosthenes worked hard to oppose the growing power of King Philip II of Macedon. He gave many speeches warning the people of Athens about Philip's danger and suggested ways to resist him. He proposed creating a quick-response force and using money to support the army.

Demosthenes kept leading the fight against Philip even after he took over more lands. He spoke out against unfair treatments and tried to build alliances with other Greek cities. However, Philip was a strong opponent, and his forces defeated the Athenian and Theban armies in a major battle.

Later, Demosthenes opposed Philip's son, Alexander, and joined uprisings against Macedonian rule. Even after facing accusations and trials, he remained respected in Athens for his dedication to the city's independence and honor.

"We need money, for sure, Athenians, and without money nothing can be done that ought to be done."

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.

"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."

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".

Assessments

Political career

Herma of Demosthenes: the head is a copy of the bronze posthumous commemorative statue in the Ancient Agora of Athens by Polyeuctus (c. 280 BC); this herm was found in the Circus of Maxentius in 1825 (Glyptothek, Munich).

Many people admired Demosthenes for staying true to his beliefs, even when it was dangerous. Others thought he made bad choices. They felt he should have worked more with nearby cities to protect Greece, rather than always focusing only on his own city, Athens. Some believed his actions brought more problems to Athens.

Oratorical skill

Demosthenes became famous for his powerful speaking style. At first, his speeches showed promise but needed improvement. Over time, he developed a clear and strong voice that made his points persuasive. He carefully planned his speeches, often preparing well before he spoke. His style was direct and focused, using strong arguments to convince his audience. He also used his voice and gestures to make his speeches more powerful.

"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."

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.

Rhetorical legacy

Demosthenes is known as one of the greatest speakers of all time. Many famous writers and speakers, like those from Rome, admired his powerful words. His style influenced important speeches, such as those by Cicero against Mark Antony, called the Philippics.

Phryne Going to the Public Baths as Venus and Demosthenes Taunted by Aeschines by J. M. W. Turner (1838).

In later times, including the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Demosthenes was very respected for his speaking skills. Many important people studied his speeches and were inspired by them. Even today, his ideas still influence leaders and speeches around the world.

Works and transmission

Further information: Works of Demosthenes

Demosthenes was one of the first leaders in Athens to share his speeches with others. Many of his speeches survived after his death and were kept safe in places like the Library of Alexandria. Scholars from a later time called the Hellenistic period helped to save and study his works.

Today, we still have sixty-one speeches that people believe are by Demosthenes, though some might have been written by others. These speeches are sorted into three groups: political speeches, speeches about past legal cases, and speeches for special events. Besides these, there are also special openings for speeches and some letters, but experts aren't sure if Demosthenes wrote all of them.

Later honours

The Demosthenian Literary Society was started in 1803 at the University of Georgia and was named after Demosthenes. In 1936, a scientist named Albert Charles Smith named a group of shrubs from South America, part of the Ericaceae family, Demosthenesia, to honor Demosthenes as well.