Demosthenes Of Athens And The Fall Of Classical Greece

Demosthenes (384-322) profoundly shaped one of the most eventful epochs in antiquity. His political career spanned three decades, during which Greece fell victim to Macedonian control, first 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 speech impediment, who was swindled out of much of his family's estate by unscrupulous guardians. His story is one of triumph over adversity. In this biography—the first in English for almost a century—Ian Worthington vividly depicts Demosthenes' career. He narrates his difficult beginnings, rivalries with other Athenian politicians, victories & defeats in the Assembly, and his posthumous influence as a politician & orator. It offers new insights into Demosthenes' motives & how he shaped his policy to achieve power, set in the backdrop of late classical Athens & Macedonia, appealing to those interested in ancient Greek history.