Demosthenes of Athens and the Fall of Classical Greece

Regarded as ancient Greece's greatest orator, Demosthenes lived through and helped shape one of the most eventful epochs in antiquity. His political career spanned three decades, during which time Greece fell victim to Macedonian control, first under Philip II and then Alexander the Great. Demosthenes'resolute and courageous defiance of Philip earned for him a reputation as one of history's outstanding patriots. He also enjoyed a brilliant and lucrative career as a speechwriter, and his rhetorical skills are still emulated today by students and politicians alike. Yet he was a sickly child with an embarrassing speech impediment, who was swindled out of much of his family's estate by unscrupulous guardians after the death of his father. His story is one of triumph over adversity. Modern studies of his life and career take one of two different approaches: he is either lauded as Greece's greatest patriot or condemned as an opportunist who misjudged situations and contributed directly to the end of Greek freedom. This biography, the first ever written in English for a popular audience, aims to determine which of these two people he was: self-serving cynic or patriot - or even a combination of both. Its chronological arrangement brings Demosthenes vividly to life, discussing his troubled childhood and youth, the obstacles he faced in his public career, his fierce rivalries with other Athenian politicians, his successes and failures, and even his posthumous influence as a politician and orator. It offers new insights into Demosthenes'motives and how he shaped his policy to achieve political power, all set against the rich backdrop of late Classical Greece and Macedonia. Demosthenes (384-322) profoundly shaped one of the most eventful epochs in antiquity. His political career spanned three decades, during which time Greece fell victim to Macedonian control, 1st under Philip II, then Alexander the Great. Demosthenes' defiance of Macedonian imperialism cost him his life but earned him a reputation as one of history's outstanding patriots. He also enjoyed a brilliant & lucrative career as a speechwriter. His rhetorical skills are still emulated today by politicians. Yet he was a sickly child with a challenging speech impediment, who was swindled out of much of his family's estate by unscrupulous guardians. His story is therefore one of triumph over adversity. In this biography--the 1st in English for almost a century--Ian Worthington brings the orator's career vividly to life. He provides a moving narrative of Demosthenes' difficult beginnings, his rivalries with other Athenian politicians, his victories & defeats in the public Assembly, & finally his posthumous influence as a politician & orator. In doing so, Worthington offers new insights into Demosthenes' motives & how he shaped his policy to achieve political power. Set against the rich backdrop of late classical Athens & Macedonia, this biography will appeal to all readers interested in the history of ancient Greece. All quotations from Demosthenes' speeches are translated & briefly discussed in order for readers to appreciate his rhetorical genius. Preamble: "Politicians & heroes" Demosthenes, son of Demosthenes Greece & the awakening of Macedonia Into the public eye The aspiring politician Swaying the Assembly An uneasy peace Resisting Philip "Speeches like soldiers" The end of Greek freedom "For the conqueror, death" Demosthenes & Alexander the Great The crown trial Decline & fall Poison from the pen Appendix: Ancient coinage & months of the Attic year Notes Demosthenes (384-322 BC) profoundly shaped one of the most eventful epochs in antiquity. His political career spanned three decades, during which time Greece fell victim to Macedonian control, first under Philip II and then Alexander the Great. Demosthenes' courageous defiance of Macedonian imperialism cost him his life but earned him a reputation as one of history's outstanding patriots. He also enjoyed a brilliant and lucrative career as a speechwriter, and his rhetorical skills are still emulated today by statesmen and politicians. Yet he was a sickly child with a challenging speech impediment, who was swindled out of much of his family's estate by unscrupulous guardians. His story is therefore one of triumph over adversity. In this new biography---the first written in English for almost a century---Ian Worthington brings the great orator's career vividly to life. He provides a moving narrative of Demosthenes' humble and difficult beginnings, his fierce rivalries with other Athenian politicians, his victories and defeats in the public Assembly, and finally his posthumous influence as a politician and orator. In doing so, Worthington offers new insights into Demosthenes' motives and how he shaped his policy to achieve political power. Set against the rich backdrop of late classical Athens and Macedonia, this biography will appeal to all readers interested in the history and heritage of ancient Greece. All quotations from Demosthenes' speeches are translated and briefly discussed in order for both professional and non-professional readers to appreciate his rhetorical genius Demosthenes' resolute and courageous defiance of Philip II of Macedonia earned for him a reputation as one of history's outstanding patriots. He also enjoyed a brilliant and lucrative career as a speechwriter, and is regarded as Greece's greatest orator, as proved by the rhetorical style of his surviving speeches. Yet he was a sickly child who suffered from several physical and speech impediments, had an interrupted education, and was swindled out of much of his family estate by unscrupulous guardians. His story is certainly one of triumph over adversity. Demosthenes has been lauded as Greece's greatest patriot and condemned as an opportunist who misjudged situations and contributed directly to the end of Greek freedom. This book aims to determine which of these two people he was: self-serving cynic or patriot—or both. The book discusses Demosthenes' troubled childhood and youth, the obstacles he faced in his public career, his successes and failures, and even his posthumous influence as a politician and orator. The book offers new insights into Demosthenes' motives and how he shaped his policy to achieve political power, set against the history of Greece and Macedonia. The book gives extensive quotations in translation from his speeches to sum up their main points and help to illustrate his rhetorical style, which the book also discusses Regarded As Ancient Greece's Greatest Orator, Demosthenes Lived Through And Helped Shape One Of The Most Eventful Epochs In Antiquity. This Biography's Chronological Arrangement Brings Demosthenes Vividly To Life, Discussing His Troubled Childhood And Youth, The Obstacles He Faced In His Public Career, His Fierce Rivalries With Other Athenian Politicians, His Successes And Failures, And Even His Posthumous Influence As A Politician And Orator. Ian Worthington. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.