Demosthenes

Demosthenes was a famous speaker and leader from ancient Athens, living from 384 BC to 322 BC. He became known for his powerful speeches, which helped people understand the important events and ideas of his time in ancient Greece. Demosthenes learned how to speak well by studying the works of earlier great speakers.

He started giving speeches when he was 20 years old and later began speaking about politics. Demosthenes 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, Demosthenes was remembered as one of the greatest speakers in history. Famous writers like Cicero praised him as the perfect orator, meaning someone who speaks in the best possible way.

Early years and personal life

Demosthenes was born in 384 BC. His father, also named Demosthenes, was a wealthy sword-maker. Unfortunately, Demosthenes lost his father at a young age and was left under the care of guardians who did not manage his inheritance 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 hard and practiced a lot. He even built a special underground room to practice his speeches alone. When he became old enough, he took his guardians to court to get back what was rightfully his. He gave several speeches to prove his case and managed to recover some of his family’s property.

He later married and had a daughter, but she passed away when she was still young. Demosthenes faced many challenges, including difficulties with speaking clearly, but he worked hard to improve his skills 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 for others himself. He became very skilled and could handle many different kinds of cases.

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

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

Much of Demosthenes's work focused on opposing the growing power of King Philip II of Macedon. He gave many speeches warning the people of Athens about Philip's danger and pushing for ways to resist him. He suggested creating a quick-response force and using money from certain funds to support the army.

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

Later, Demosthenes opposed Philip's son, Alexander, and took part in uprisings against Macedonian rule. Even after facing accusations and trials, he remained a respected figure 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 thought highly of Demosthenes for staying true to his beliefs. Even when facing danger, he refused to change his path. Others, however, felt he made poor decisions. They believed he should have worked more closely with nearby cities to protect Greece instead of always putting his own city, Athens, first. Some said his efforts only led to more trouble for Athens.

Oratorical skill

Demosthenes became known for his powerful speaking style. Early in his career, his speeches showed great potential but lacked some polish. Over time, he developed a clear and strong voice that made his points clearly and persuasively. He was careful in planning his speeches, often preparing thoroughly before speaking. His style was direct and focused, aiming to convince his audience through strong arguments rather than fancy words. He also used his voice and gestures to emphasize his messages, making 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).

During later times, including the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Demosthenes was very well respected for his speaking skills. Many important writers and leaders studied his speeches and were inspired by them. Even today, his ideas continue to 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 the public. Many of his speeches survived after his death and were kept in important places like the Library of Alexandria. Scholars during a later time called the Hellenistic period helped save and study his works.

Today, we still have sixty-one speeches that people think are by Demosthenes, though some might have been written by others. These speeches are sorted into three groups: political speeches about future actions, speeches about past legal cases, and speeches for special events. Besides these speeches, 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 created in 1803 at the University of Georgia and was named after Demosthenes. Much later, in 1936, a scientist named Albert Charles Smith chose to name a group of shrubs from South America, belonging to the Ericaceae family, Demosthenesia to also honor Demosthenes.