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 As an orator DEMOSTHENES stands alone, unapproached by any rival ancient or modern. The majesty and beauty of his diction are not hidden from us even by a dead language, while his dialectical skill, his persuasiveness, his invective, and, above all, the lofty ethical character of his appeals, lose nothing by translation. But it is as an Athenian statesman that we have to judge him here. Like Hannibal and many another admirable champion of conquered causes, he devoted splendid talents and a grand character to resisting a destiny which, as we can now see, it would have been wise to accept. Himself animated by a generous Pan-hellenic patriotism, he could not endure to learn the bitter lesson that the vices and defects of Greek politics were incurable, and that, though the advantages of Macedonian leadership might be marred and nullified by irreconcilable hostility, the thing itself, in better or worse form, could not be escaped. Accordingly, from the moment when Philip began to interfere in Greece he found a vigilant and unwearied opponent in Demosthenes. The Athenians of that day, though coveting empire as much as ever, were not as ready for personal sacrifice as in the time of Pericles. Their armies were oftener composed of mercenaries than of citizens, and the funds which should have equipped fleets were lavished on the religious festivals and artistic displays so dear to that cultivated populace. Demosthenes, at much risk not only of unpopularity but of punishment, strove, and not without some success, to reform these abuses and to inspire his countrymen with the ardour and energy of other days. But the reforms and the martial revival came too late. In another direction he laboured to compose the fatal feuds between the leading Greek States, and to transform their inveterate jealousies into a noble emulation for the defense of their common independence, threatened by Macedon. The crowning triumph of the patriot orator was when he confronted the ambassadors of Philip at Thebes, and by his glorious eloquence prevailed on the old enemies of his city to forget their grudge and join with Athens in striking a last blow for the liberties of Greece. Side by side stood the citizen soldiers of Athens and Thebes on the fatal field of Chæronea, and together they went down before the trained battalions of Macedon, the genius of Philip, and the fiery valour of the youthful Alexander. The "sacred band" of Thebes, the old companions of Epaminondas, died to a man, and 1000 Athenians lay beside them. But Demosthenes, who had himself served in the ranks on that terrible day, could proudly aver that he would never repent of the resolve which had saved the honour of his beloved city though all else were lost.
Sixteen years afterward, on the death of Alexander, Demosthenes again endeavoured to rouse the Greeks against Macedon. But the insurrection was soon suppressed, and the orator took poison that he might not fall into the hands of the victors. He was 63 when he died. His "Philippics" and his noble oration On the Crown, which contains the defense of his career, have often been translated.
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| This biography is
reprinted from The New Calendar of Great Men. Ed. Frederic
Harrison. London: Macmillan and Co., 1920. |
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