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Demosthenes
(384—322 bc) Athenian orator and statesman
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(384–322 bc),
Athenian orator and statesman, who according to Plutarch overcame an initial stammer by training himself to speak with pebbles in his mouth. He is best known for his political speeches on the need to resist the aggressive tendencies of Philip II of Macedon (the Philippics). The Greeks were defeated by Philip at the battle of Chaeronea in 338 bc and Demosthenes committed suicide after the failure of an Athenian revolt against Macedon.
Subjects: Classical studies
