Demosthenes

Also known as: Argas / Batalus · Family: Athens · Role: orator · First appears: Pyrrhus

Demosthenes, also known as Argas and Batalus, was an Athenian orator. As a boy, he watched Callistratus win admiration and public attention, and began to emulate him. He used Isaeus as his guide to speaking, learned eloquence from Plato, and was a familiar acquaintance of Satyrus. He later prepared speeches for both rival litigants, Phormion and Apollodorus, and stood against Pytheas in a quarrel over the Macedonians and the Greeks.

At thirty-two, Demosthenes accused Midias, and he also prosecuted Antiphon and Theoris. Demades sometimes rose to support him when he was discomposed, while Ctesippus requested speeches from him; Demon was his cousin, and Demochares was his relation. He opposed Philip, Aeschines, and Hyperides, and also rivaled Phocion, though Phocion’s standing commanded his attention. His political aim was “the defense of the Grecians against Philip,” supported by Chares, Diopithes, and Leosthenes.

At Syracuse, Demosthenes fought beside Nicias after the Athenian defeat, was captured, and attempted to kill himself with his sword. The Syracusans then decreed that he and Nicias be put to death. Later, after conviction for bribery involving Harpalus, he was banished; after returning to Greece, he resumed public service and opposed Antipater and the Macedonians. When Antipater’s soldiers closed in and the temple no longer protected him, Demosthenes used concealed poison to escape them.