Aeschines
Who was Aeschines?
Greek orator and statesman (4th century BCE)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Aeschines (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Aeschines was a well-known Greek orator and politician during the fourth century BCE, a time when Athenian power was waning and Macedonia, under Philip II and Alexander the Great, was rising. Born in Athens around 389 BCE, he became one of the ten Attic orators and played a major role in Athenian politics as the city fought to stay independent from Macedonian expansion. His political career is best known for his rivalry with the famous orator Demosthenes, with whom he had intense disagreements over how Athens should deal with Macedonia.
As a diplomat and politician, Aeschines initially supported resisting Macedonian influence but later pushed for compromise with Philip II of Macedonia. This change put him at odds with Demosthenes, who was firmly against any compromises with Macedonia. Their rivalry led to several well-known legal battles, like Aeschines’ case against Timarchus and his defense against Demosthenes' accusations of misconduct during diplomatic missions. These cases are classic examples of Attic oratory and give valuable insight into Athenian politics and society at the time.
Aeschines' most famous surviving work, 'Against Timarchus,' was a speech from 346 BCE criticizing Timarchus, who was linked to Demosthenes. The speech is noted for its detailed discussion of Athenian laws on male prostitution and citizenship, offering historians crucial information about Athenian social customs and legal practices. His style was praised by ancient critics for its dignity and dramatic flair, though some thought it lacked the refinement of Demosthenes.
After he lost the famous Crown case to Demosthenes in 330 BCE, where he failed to get at least one-fifth of the votes and was fined heavily, Aeschines chose voluntary exile. He spent his last years on the island of Samos, where he opened a school of rhetoric and continued teaching until he died around 314 BCE. Despite his political challenges, Aeschines was still an important figure in Greek rhetoric, and his speeches continued to be studied long after his death.
Before Fame
Aeschines was born around 389 BCE in Athens to a modest family. His father, Atrometus, was reportedly an elementary school teacher, while his mother, Glaucothea, worked as a religious functionary in certain mystery cults. Before entering politics, Aeschines worked as a tragic actor and later as a clerk for various Athenian magistrates. These jobs gave him valuable training in public speaking and understanding legal procedures.
The fourth century BCE was a time of major political changes in Greece, with city-states struggling to stay independent against Macedonia's growing power. Athens, although still culturally important, had lost much of its military and economic strength after losing the Peloponnesian War. This situation opened doors for skilled speakers who could handle complex diplomatic issues and present policy ideas in the democratic assembly, paving the way for Aeschines' rise to prominence.
Key Achievements
- Served as one of the ten canonical Attic orators and maintained prominence in Athenian politics for over two decades
- Successfully prosecuted Timarchus in 346 BCE with his famous speech 'Against Timarchus'
- Participated in crucial diplomatic missions to negotiate with Philip II of Macedonia
- Established an influential school of rhetoric in Samos that continued his educational methods
- Preserved important historical and legal information about fourth-century Athens through his surviving speeches
Did You Know?
- 01.Before becoming an orator, Aeschines worked as a tragic actor and was reportedly nicknamed 'the voice' for his powerful speaking ability
- 02.His prosecution speech 'Against Timarchus' contains one of the most detailed ancient discussions of male prostitution laws in classical Athens
- 03.Ancient sources claim he was physically imposing with a commanding presence that enhanced his oratorical effectiveness
- 04.He established a successful rhetoric school in Samos during his exile that attracted students from across the Greek world
- 05.His father's profession as an elementary school teacher was often used by political opponents to mock his humble origins