DEMOSTHENES 382 BC - 322 Greek Politician Demosthenes, born in Attica, was the greatest Greek orator who is best known for his 'Philippics', a series of speeches in which he attacked king Philip of Macedonia. The king of Macedonia had gained a foothold in central Greece and Demosthenes tried with great oratorical skill to unite all Greeks in an alliance against submission to Philip.
But Philip prevailed and Athens made peace. Demosthenes defended his policy in his
speech 'On the Crown'. Many critics consider this the most nearly perfect speech
in history.
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