Demosthenis et Aeschinis Principum Graeciae Oratorum Opera, cum Vtriusque Autoris Vita, et Vlpiani Commentariis

From Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia
Revision as of 15:25, 30 July 2024 by Gwsweeney (talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search

by Demosthenes and Aeschines

Demosthenis et Aeschinis Opera
George Wythe bookplate.jpg
Title not held by The Wolf Law Library
at the College of William & Mary.
 
Author Demosthenes, Aeschines
Editor Hieronymus Wolf
Translator
Published :
Date
Edition Precise edition unknown
Language Greek, Latin
Volumes volume set
Pages
Desc. Folio

Demosthenes (384 – 322 BCE) was a prominent statesman and orator in Ancient Greece. He developed his skills as an orator by studying speeches given by earlier great orators.[1] He transferred his talents as an orator and writer into a successful professional speech-writing career. During his time as a speech-writer Demosthenes developed an interest in politics; he went on to devote most of his career to opposing Macedonia's expansion. He spoke out against both Philip II of Macedon and Alexander the Great. Demosthenes played a leading role in his city's uprising against Alexander. The revolt was met with harsh reprisals and Demosthenes took his own life to prevent being arrested. Demosthenes' oratory works were highly influential during the Middle Ages and Renaissance,[2] and inspired the authors of the Federalist Papers and the major orators of the French Revolution.[3]

Aeschines (389 –314 BCE) was a Greek statesman, orator, and bitter political opponent of Demosthenes. He was raised in humble circumstances and worked as an actor before becoming a member of the embassies to Philip II. He eventually provoked Philip II to establish Macedonian control over central Greece. Unlike Demosthenes, Aeschines was a proponent of Macedonian expansion. The two orators collided when Aeschines brought suit against a certain Ctesiphon for proposing the award of a crown to Demosthenes in recognition of his services to Athens. Aeschines suffered a resounding defeat in the trial and subsequently left Athens for Rhodes where he taught rhetoric.[4]

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

See also

References

  1. Ian Worthington, Demosthenes: Statesman and Orator (London: Routledge, 2000), 240.
  2. Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s.v. "Demosthenes," accessed October 24, 2013.
  3. Konstantinos Tsatsos, "XV" in Demosthenes (Athens: Estia, 1975), 352.
  4. Encyclopædia Britannica Online, s.v. "Aeschines," accessed November 14, 2013.

External links