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"In the oratory of more thn two thousand years Demosthenes stands in the front rank, and will always hold first place among the orators of the ancient world. He was born in 384 B.C. When he was only seven years of age, his father, a wealthy manufacturer of arms in Athens, died. When the youth came of age he found himself stripped of his inheritance by dishonest trustees. Aided by Isaeus he commenced a lawsuit against the chief embezzler, and succeeded in recovering about a third of his father's estate. The loss of his patrimony was the means of developing a spirit of courage and self-relience, which might otherwise have remained latent." — The Delphian Society, 1913

Demosthenes

"In the oratory of more thn two thousand years Demosthenes stands in the front rank, and will always…

"Demosthenes" — Morey, 1903

Demosthenes

"Demosthenes" — Morey, 1903

"Demosthenes had established himself as a public speaker before [the first Phillipic]; but it is chiefly in connection with Phillip that we are to view him as a statesman as well as an orator." — Smith, 1882

Bust of Demosthenes

"Demosthenes had established himself as a public speaker before [the first Phillipic]; but it is chiefly…

Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century 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 argued effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his living as a professional speech-writer (logographer) and a lawyer, writing speeches for use in private legal suits.

Sculpture of Demosthenes

Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a…

A poster with important images and facts from the period of decline (431-146 B.C.).

Greece Poster

A poster with important images and facts from the period of decline (431-146 B.C.).