Classical Greek Orators Collection (30 vols.)

Antiphon spent his prime in the great period of Athens but, disliking democracy, was himself an ardent oligarch who, with others, set up a violent, short-lived oligarchy in 411. The restored democracy executed him for treason. He was a writer of speeches for other people involved in litigation. Of the 15 surviving works, three concern real murder cases. The others are exercises in speechcraft consisting of three tetralogies, each tetralogy comprising four skeleton speeches: accuser’s, defendant’s, accuser’s reply, and defendant’s counter-reply.

Andocides disliked the extremes of both democracy and oligarchy. He was exiled after a religious scandal in 415 BC. After at least two unsuccessful attempts, he finally returned under the amnesty of 403. In 399, he was acquitted on a charge of profaning the Mysteries, and in 391–390, took part in an abortive peace embassy to Sparta.

Antiphon spent his prime in the great period of Athens but, disliking democracy, was himself an ardent oligarch who, with others, set up a violent, short-lived oligarchy in 411. The restored democracy executed him for treason. He was a writer of speeches for other people involved in litigation. Of the 15 surviving works, three concern real murder cases. The others are exercises in speechcraft consisting of three tetralogies, each tetralogy comprising four skeleton speeches: accuser’s, defendant’s, accuser’s reply, and defendant’s counter-reply.

Andocides disliked the extremes of both democracy and oligarchy. He was exiled after a religious scandal in 415 BC. After at least two unsuccessful attempts, he finally returned under the amnesty of 403. In 399, he was acquitted on a charge of profaning the Mysteries, and in 391–390, took part in an abortive peace embassy to Sparta.

Lycurgus of Athens, ca. 396–325 BC, concentrated on domestic affairs and naval matters. He also constructed and repaired important public buildings. Athens refused to surrender him to Alexander and honored him until his death.

Dinarchus of Corinth, ca. 361–291, became a forensic speaker and also assailed Demosthenes and others. He was accused by Alexander’s runaway treasurer Harpalus of corruption. Dinarchus favored oligarchic government under Macedonian control. He prospered under the regency of Demetrius Phalereus (317–307), but was exiled after the restoration of democracy.

Demades of Athens, ca. 380–318, was an able seaman, then unscrupulous politician. He favored Philip, but fought for Athens at Chaeronea in 338. Captured there and released by Philip, he helped make peace, and later influenced Alexander and then Antipater in Athens’ favor. His tortuous policy and acceptance of bribes ruined him, and he was executed by Antipater.

Hyperides of Athens, ca. 390–322, was a forensic and political speaker who was hostile to Philip and led Athens’ patriots after 325. For resistance to Antipater, he was ultimately killed. What survives today of his speeches was discovered in the nineteenth century.

Lycurgus of Athens, ca. 396–325 BC, concentrated on domestic affairs and naval matters. He also constructed and repaired important public buildings. Athens refused to surrender him to Alexander and honored him until his death.

Dinarchus of Corinth, ca. 361–291, became a forensic speaker and also assailed Demosthenes and others. He was accused by Alexander’s runaway treasurer Harpalus of corruption. Dinarchus favored oligarchic government under Macedonian control. He prospered under the regency of Demetrius Phalereus (317–307), but was exiled after the restoration of democracy.

Demades of Athens, ca. 380–318, was an able seaman, then unscrupulous politician. He favored Philip, but fought for Athens at Chaeronea in 338. Captured there and released by Philip, he helped make peace, and later influenced Alexander and then Antipater in Athens’ favor. His tortuous policy and acceptance of bribes ruined him, and he was executed by Antipater.

Hyperides of Athens, ca. 390–322, was a forensic and political speaker who was hostile to Philip and led Athens’ patriots after 325. For resistance to Antipater, he was ultimately killed. What survives today of his speeches was discovered in the nineteenth century.

Aeschines (389–14 BC) was an orator and statesman of Athens. He became active in politics about 350, and in 348 was a member of a mission sent to the Peloponnese to stir up feeling against the growing power of King Philip of Macedon; in 347, though, he was won over to sympathy with the king, and became a supporter of the peace policy of the Athenian statesman Eubulus. On a second embassy in 346 to ratify a peace, Aeschines’ delaying tactics caused the famous orators Demosthenes and Timarchus to accuse him of treason, a charge which he successfully rebutted. In 344, when Demosthenes accused him again in a speech, Aeschines was again acquitted. In 336, Aeschines left Athens and set up a school of rhetoric at Rhodes. He died in Samos.

Aeschines (389–14 BC) was an orator and statesman of Athens. He became active in politics about 350, and in 348 was a member of a mission sent to the Peloponnese to stir up feeling against the growing power of King Philip of Macedon; in 347, though, he was won over to sympathy with the king, and became a supporter of the peace policy of the Athenian statesman Eubulus. On a second embassy in 346 to ratify a peace, Aeschines’ delaying tactics caused the famous orators Demosthenes and Timarchus to accuse him of treason, a charge which he successfully rebutted. In 344, when Demosthenes accused him again in a speech, Aeschines was again acquitted. In 336, Aeschines left Athens and set up a school of rhetoric at Rhodes. He died in Samos.

Isaeus (420–350 BC) was a native of Chalcis in Euboea and the teacher of Demosthenes.

Isaeus (420–350 BC) was a native of Chalcis in Euboea and the teacher of Demosthenes.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Demosthenes (384–322 BC) was a pleader in law courts who later became a statesman. Known as the best Athenian orator, he was a champion of the past greatness of his city and of the resistance of Greece to the rise to supremacy of Philip of Macedon. He is known for his steadfastness of purpose, his sincerity, his clear arguments, and his severe control of language.

Isocrates (ca. 436–338 BC) wrote speeches for Athenian law courts and then became a teacher of composition for would-be orators. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios, he returned to Athens and established a free school of philosophy involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language. This school had famous pupils from all over the Greek world. Isocrates also wrote essays on political questions, his main idea being a united Greece to conquer the Persian Empire.

Isocrates (ca. 436–338 BC) wrote speeches for Athenian law courts and then became a teacher of composition for would-be orators. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios, he returned to Athens and established a free school of philosophy involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language. This school had famous pupils from all over the Greek world. Isocrates also wrote essays on political questions, his main idea being a united Greece to conquer the Persian Empire.

Isocrates (ca. 436–338 BC) wrote speeches for Athenian law courts and then became a teacher of composition for would-be orators. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios, he returned to Athens and established a free school of philosophy involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language. This school had famous pupils from all over the Greek world. Isocrates also wrote essays on political questions, his main idea being a united Greece to conquer the Persian Empire.

Isocrates (ca. 436–338 BC) wrote speeches for Athenian law courts and then became a teacher of composition for would-be orators. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios, he returned to Athens and established a free school of philosophy involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language. This school had famous pupils from all over the Greek world. Isocrates also wrote essays on political questions, his main idea being a united Greece to conquer the Persian Empire.

Isocrates (ca. 436–338 BC) wrote speeches for Athenian law courts and then became a teacher of composition for would-be orators. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios, he returned to Athens and established a free school of philosophy involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language. This school had famous pupils from all over the Greek world. Isocrates also wrote essays on political questions, his main idea being a united Greece to conquer the Persian Empire.

Isocrates (ca. 436–338 BC) wrote speeches for Athenian law courts and then became a teacher of composition for would-be orators. After setting up a school of rhetoric in Chios, he returned to Athens and established a free school of philosophy involving a practical education of the whole mind, character, judgment, and mastery of language. This school had famous pupils from all over the Greek world. Isocrates also wrote essays on political questions, his main idea being a united Greece to conquer the Persian Empire.

Lysias (ca. 458–380 BC) was born at Athens, the son of a wealthy Syracusan settled in Attica. He lived in Peiraeus, where, with his brother, he inherited his father’s shield factory. Being a loyal supporter of democracy, Lysias took the side of the democrats at Athens against the 30 Tyrants in 404, supplying shields and money. After one political speech in accusation of Eratosthenes in 405, he became a busy professional speechwriter for the law courts. At the Olympic festival of 388, he denounced, with riotous results, the costly display of the embassy sent by Dionysius I of Syracuse and the domination of Sicily by Dionysius.

Lysias (ca. 458–380 BC) was born at Athens, the son of a wealthy Syracusan settled in Attica. He lived in Peiraeus, where, with his brother, he inherited his father’s shield factory. Being a loyal supporter of democracy, Lysias took the side of the democrats at Athens against the 30 Tyrants in 404, supplying shields and money. After one political speech in accusation of Eratosthenes in 405, he became a busy professional speechwriter for the law courts. At the Olympic festival of 388, he denounced, with riotous results, the costly display of the embassy sent by Dionysius I of Syracuse and the domination of Sicily by Dionysius.