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Updated: June 2, 2025
His rival was Aeschines, who was vastly inferior to Demosthenes, although bold, vigorous, and brilliant. Indeed, the opinions of mankind for two thousand years have been unanimous in ascribing to Demosthenes the highest position as an orator among all the men of ancient and modern times.
This victory, and the successes of Alexander in the East, encouraged the Macedonian party in Athens to take active measures against Demosthenes; and AEschines revived an old charge against him which had lain dormant for several years.
For Aeschines and Hyperides, in their very accusations, give him such a character. I wonder, therefore, how Theopompus could say that he was a man of no steadiness, who was never long pleased either with the same persons or things.
A jury of not less than five hundred, chosen from the citizens at large, was impaneled by the archon; and before a dense and breathless audience the pleadings began. The Oration of AEschines against Ctesiphon.
"If you thus praise it from my reading it," exclaimed AEschines, "what would you have said if you had heard Demosthenes himself deliver it?" By the common consent of ancient and modern times, Demosthenes stands pre-eminent for his eloquence, his patriotism, and his influence over the Athenian people.
At the same time, it is not fair that he should go off without getting as much as he gives, even in this respect; and when I have asked him one question, I will at once proceed to the attack. Are we to call you, Aeschines, the enemy of the State, or of myself? Of myself, of course. What?
Antisthenes? Archilochus? Hipponax? Or are they passed over in favour of the orators? Do you ever read the speech of Aeschines against Timarchus? All that sort of thing I suppose you have by heart. And have you grappled with Aristophanes and Eupolis? It is difficult to imagine that mind of yours bent upon literary studies, and those hands turning over the pages. When do you do your reading?
And he would affirm, that it was the more truly popular act to use premeditation, such preparation being a kind of respect to the people. How then, some may say, was it, that Aeschines speaks of him as a person much to be wondered at for his boldness in speaking?
AEschines lost his case, and, not having obtained a fifth part of the votes, became himself liable to a penalty, and soon left the country in disgrace. When the intelligence of Alexander's death reached Greece the country was already on the eve of a revolution against Antip'ater.
Now if Aeschines had confined his charges to the subject of the indictment, I too, in making my defence, would have dealt at once with the actual resolution of the Council.
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