Demades was born into a poor family of ancient Paeania and was employed at one time as a common sailor, but he rose to a prominent position at Athens thanks to his eloquence as well as his unscrupulous character. He espoused the cause of Philip II of Macedon in the war against Olynthus, and was thus brought into bitter and lifelong enmity with Demosthenes, whom he at first supported.[1]
Relations with Macedon
Demades fought against the Macedonians in the Battle of Chaeronea, and was taken prisoner. Having made a favourable impression upon Philip, he was released together with his fellow-captives, and was instrumental in bringing about a treaty of peace between Macedonia and Athens.[1]
Demades continued to be a favourite of Alexander, and, prompted by a bribe, saved Demosthenes and some other Athenian orators from his vengeance. It was also chiefly owing to him that Alexander, after the destruction of Thebes, treated Athens so leniently.[1]
Demades' conduct in supporting the Macedonian cause, yet receiving any bribes that were offered by the opposite party, led him to be heavily fined more than once; he was finally deprived of his civil rights. He was reinstated (322 BC) on the approach of Antipater, to whom he was sent as ambassador. Before setting out he persuaded the citizens to pass sentence of death upon Demosthenes and his followers, who had fled from Athens. The result of his embassy was the conclusion of a peace considered to be greatly to the disadvantage of the Athenians.[1]
In 318 BC (or earlier), having been discovered involved in an intrigue with Perdiccas, Antipater's opponent, Demades was put to death by Antipater at Pella, when entrusted with another mission by the Athenians.
Demades was avaricious and unscrupulous, but he was a highly gifted and practised orator.[1] According to Arrian, Demades was killed by Cassander, Antipater's son, after suffering the slaughtering of his child in his hands. Cassander justified his actions by accusing Demades that he had slandered Antipater in his letters to Perdiccas.[2]
Legacy
It has been said of Demades that he was a master improviser. This may explain why practically none of his works have fully survived and only scattered fragments have been preserved.
A fragment of a speech, bearing his name, in which he defends his conduct, is to be found in C Müller's Oratores Attici, ii. 438, but its genuineness is considered to be doubtful.
The saying that "Draco's laws were written with blood, not with ink" is attributed to Demades.
He is also alleged [3] to have called the state largesse distributed by the Theoric Fund the "cement of democracy".
References
^ abcdeOne or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Demades". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 7 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 979.
^Arrian, Events after Alexander par.13, Photii Bibliotheca
^Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. VI. (published 1927). Macedon, 401-301 B.C., p. Chapter 6
External links
Minor Attic Orators, II, Lycurgus. Dinarchus. Demades. Hyperides, Harvard University Press, Loeb Classical Library, 1954.
Demades - hero of an Aesopian fable
December 27, 2022
demades, greek, Δημάδης, athenian, orator, demagogue, contents, background, early, life, relations, with, macedon, legacy, references, external, linksbackground, early, life, edit, born, into, poor, family, ancient, paeania, employed, time, common, sailor, ros. Demades Greek Dhmadhs c 380 c 318 BC was an Athenian orator and demagogue Contents 1 Background and early life 2 Relations with Macedon 3 Legacy 4 References 5 External linksBackground and early life EditDemades was born into a poor family of ancient Paeania and was employed at one time as a common sailor but he rose to a prominent position at Athens thanks to his eloquence as well as his unscrupulous character He espoused the cause of Philip II of Macedon in the war against Olynthus and was thus brought into bitter and lifelong enmity with Demosthenes whom he at first supported 1 Relations with Macedon EditDemades fought against the Macedonians in the Battle of Chaeronea and was taken prisoner Having made a favourable impression upon Philip he was released together with his fellow captives and was instrumental in bringing about a treaty of peace between Macedonia and Athens 1 Demades continued to be a favourite of Alexander and prompted by a bribe saved Demosthenes and some other Athenian orators from his vengeance It was also chiefly owing to him that Alexander after the destruction of Thebes treated Athens so leniently 1 Demades conduct in supporting the Macedonian cause yet receiving any bribes that were offered by the opposite party led him to be heavily fined more than once he was finally deprived of his civil rights He was reinstated 322 BC on the approach of Antipater to whom he was sent as ambassador Before setting out he persuaded the citizens to pass sentence of death upon Demosthenes and his followers who had fled from Athens The result of his embassy was the conclusion of a peace considered to be greatly to the disadvantage of the Athenians 1 In 318 BC or earlier having been discovered involved in an intrigue with Perdiccas Antipater s opponent Demades was put to death by Antipater at Pella when entrusted with another mission by the Athenians Demades was avaricious and unscrupulous but he was a highly gifted and practised orator 1 According to Arrian Demades was killed by Cassander Antipater s son after suffering the slaughtering of his child in his hands Cassander justified his actions by accusing Demades that he had slandered Antipater in his letters to Perdiccas 2 Legacy EditIt has been said of Demades that he was a master improviser This may explain why practically none of his works have fully survived and only scattered fragments have been preserved A fragment of a speech bearing his name in which he defends his conduct is to be found in C Muller s Oratores Attici ii 438 but its genuineness is considered to be doubtful The saying that Draco s laws were written with blood not with ink is attributed to Demades He is also alleged 3 to have called the state largesse distributed by the Theoric Fund the cement of democracy References Edit a b c d e One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Demades Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 7 11th ed Cambridge University Press p 979 Arrian Events after Alexander par 13 Photii Bibliotheca Cambridge Ancient History Vol VI published 1927 Macedon 401 301 B C p Chapter 6External links EditMinor Attic Orators II Lycurgus Dinarchus Demades Hyperides Harvard University Press Loeb Classical Library 1954 Demades hero of an Aesopian fable Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Demades amp oldid 1106689833, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
