Demosthenes

[ dih-mos-thuh-neez ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Demosthenes

/ dɪˈmɒsθəˌniːz /

Demosthenes384 bc322 bcMAthenianPOLITICS: statesmanPOLITICS: orator 384–322 bc , Athenian statesman, orator, and lifelong opponent of the power of Macedonia over Greece

Demosthenes

The greatest orator of ancient Greece . Demosthenes is said to have overcome a childhood stutter by forcing himself to speak with pebbles in his mouth. He delivered speeches called Philippics attacking King Philip of Macedon, who was an enemy of Demosthenes' city of Athens (see also Athens ).

And so this is why the clever performer cannot reproduce the effect of a speech of Demosthenes or Daniel Webster.

Amplification, declamation, and exaggeration were at all times the faults of the Greeks, excepting Demosthenes and Aristotle.

Cobden did the reasoning, Bright supplied the declamation, but like Demosthenes he mingled argument with appeal.

All the orations of Demosthenes exhibit him as a pure and noble patriot, and are full of the loftiest sentiments.

Afterward, during the supremacy of Alexander, Demosthenes was again accused, and suffered exile.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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