But
while i^fchines accufes my whole Adminiftration, and endea-
vours
?
while i^fchines accufes my whole Adminiftration, and endea-
vours
?
Demosthenes - Orations - v2
?
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 443
<' after thefe Ambafladors fliall have arrived at Thebes. Make no
" Demands upon the Thebans. At fuch a Conjundure, it were
^^ difhonourable. Promife them your Afliftance, if they de-
** fire it, vi^ithout Referve, becaufe you think they are invoh'ed
" in the utmoft Diftrefs, while you have more prudently fore-
" feen this Event. Thus, if they accept our Offers, and will
" be direded by our Advice, we fliall attain the End we pro-
" pofe, and our Proceedings will have an honourable Appear-
" ance, and worthy of the Republic. Or if unhappily our
" Endeavours fail of Succefs, the Thebans muft blame them-
" felves for whatever Errors they may hereafter commit, while
** nothing difhonourable, nothing inglorious can be imputed
" to the Commonwealth. "
Having urged thefe Arguments, and others of the fame
Kind, I defcended from the Tribunal. When my Difcourfe
was univerfally applauded (not a fingle Negative in Oppofition)
I did not only give you my Advice in Words, but propofed it
in Writing ; I did not only propofe it in Writing, but under-
took the Embafly ; nor did I undertake the Embaffy alone,
but fucceeded in perfuading the Thebans. I began, I continu-
ed, I perfedled the Work, and for your Service devoted my-
felf without Referve to the Dangers, that furrounded the Re-
public. Now read me the Decree, that I preferred on this Oc-
cafion. Yet tell me, iEfchines, how I fliall reprefent either my-
felf or jou on that important Day ? Shall I confefs myfelf that
L 11 2 effeminate
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? 444 DEMOSTHENES
effeminate Batalus your Calumnies and Sarcafms have called mc,
yet acknowledge you an abfolute Hero, and of no mean Degree ;
one of our theatrical Heroes ; a Crefphontes, or a Creon, or
that Oenomaus, whom you tragically murdered in one of our
Villages by your miferable performance ? Yet I, the Athe-
nian Batalus, manifeftly appeared, upon that decifive Occafion,,
far more worthy of my Country, than you, the theatrical Oe-
nomaus. Not in any one lingle Inftance were you ever ufeful
or profitable to the State ; whereas I have performed every
Duty and Service, that a good Citizen owes to his Country*
Read the Decree.
The Decree of Demosthemes,
Under the Archonfhip of Naulicles, the Tribe of Ajax.
prefidiog in Council, on the iixteenth of June, Demofthenes
propofed the following Decree. Whereas Philip, King of
the Macedonians, hath in Time paft openly violated his Trea-
ties concluded with the Athenian People, regardlefs of the Oaths,
by which they were ratified, and of every other Obligation
held facred by the Greeks ; taking PoffefHon of Cities, which
did not of Right belong to him, and of fome confeffedly under
the Dominion of the Athenians, although he never had received
the leaft Provocation to thefe A6ls of HoftiHty : and whereas
he flill makes a greater Progrefs in Violence and Cruelty, putting
Garrifons into fome of the Cities of Greece, and deftroying their
ancient Forms of Government ; rafing others to their Founda-
tions,
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 445
$ions, and enflaving their Inhabitants ; planting Colonies of Bar-
barians in others; expelling their Grecian Poflcirors, and de-
livering up to Violation their Temples and their Sepulchres
(in thefe Inftances, however, ading not inconfiftently with the
Manners of his Country, or his own natural Genius) intempe-
rately abufing his prefent good Fortune, and forgetful that he
hath unexpededly rifen to this Greatnefs, from an inconfide-
rable and obfcure Original. While the Athenians beheld him
reducing to his Obedience barbarian Cities only, that had no
Society or Alliance with Greece, they did not confider it as a
perfonal Injury, that merited their Refentment. But when
they now behold the Grecian Cities, fome of them infulted,
others ruined to their Foundations, they muft efteem it crimi-
nal in them, and unworthy of the Gloiy of their Anceftors,
indolently to fee the Greeks enilaved. It is therefore refolved
by the Senate and People of Athens, having firft put up their
Petitions, and offered Sacrifices to the immortal Gods, and
Heroes, Guardians and Protedors of this City and its Territo-
ries, and then having deeply imprefled upon their Minds the
Remembrance of the Virtues of their Anceftors, who were al-
ways more anxious to preserve the Liberties of Greece, than
even their own native Soil ; it is refolved, that two hundred
Galleys fhall immediately put to Sea, and their Admiral feC
Sail for the Streights of Thermopylae ; that our Generals fhall
afiemble the Troops, both Infantry and Cavalry, at Eleufis ;
that Ambaffadors fhall be fent to the other Grecian States, but
firft
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? 446 DEMOSTHENES
firfl of all to the Thebans, becaufe Philip has marched nearer
to their Frontiers ; that thefe Ambaffadors fhall encourage and
exhort them not to be terrified at Philip's Approach, but
firmly to maintain their own and the Liberties of Greece ; fhall
give them every AiTurance, that the Athenian People no longer
remember the Injuries they have received (if perhaps the
two Republics may have formerly injured each other) but will
afTift the Thebans with Men and Money and Arms, ofTenfive
and defenfive ; being confcious, that when Greeks contend
with Greeks for Sovereignty, the Contefl is glorious; but to
be governed by a Barbarian, and to be defpoiled by him of all
Authority, is unworthy of their own Honour, and the ancient
Glory of their Anceflors : that befides, the Athenian People
do not efteem the Thebans as Aliens and Foreigners, either
with regard to the Dignity of their Origin, or their being Na-
tives of one common Soil ; that they remember the Benefits,
which their Forefathers conferred upon thofe of the Thebans ;
that they reflored the Defcendants of Hercules, who were dif-
pofTefTed by the Peloponnefians of their hereditary Dominions,
and won a decifive Vidory over the Nations, that endeavoured
to oppofe their Reftoration : that they hofpitably received Oedi-
pus and the Party, that was banifhed with him, befides many
other very honourable Inftances of their AfFedion and Hu-
manity. For thefe Reafons, the Athenian People never will
dcfert the Interefts of Thebes, or of Greece in general ; and
are now ready to conclude an Alliance ofFenfive and defenfive,
to
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? IN DEFENCE OF C T E S I P H O N. 447
to be confirmed by all the Rights of Intermarriage, and by
Oaths mutually given and received. Demofthenes, Hyperides,
Mnefithides, Democrates, Callaefchrus, were deputed Ambaf-
fadors.
J
This was the Beginning and firfl: Foundation of our Union
with the Thebans. Before that Time, the two Republics were
violently impelled by thefe Traitors to mutual Enmity, Hatred
and Jealouiy. By this Decree, the Danger, that furrounded
the Commonwealth, paft away like a Cloud, and was diffipa-
ted. It was then the Duty of an able and honeft Citizen, if
he had any more falutary Meafures to propole, to propofe them
openly ; not now to cenfure and accufe. For although a
Minifter, who gives his Advice to his Country, and a factious
Calumniator, do not in any one Inftance refemble each other,
yet in this they principally differ. The firft delivers his Opinion
before the Event, and renders himfelf accountable to thofe,
who have afted in Compliance with his Advice \ to Fortune ;
to Contingences, and to whoever pleafes to demand a Realbn
for his Conduct. The fecond is filent when he fliould fpeak,
and whatever Misfortunes happen are the Subjedl of his Invec-
tives. This was the Period therefore, as I have already obfer-
ved, that required a Man, folicitous for his Country, and capa-
ble of giving her more falutary Counfel. Yet I will boldly
venture fo far as to affirm, that if any one can even now difcover
a better, or indeed any other Plan of Operations, that what I
then
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? 44-8 DEMOSTHENES
then propofed, I will acknowledge myfelf guilty. Becaufe, if
any Expedient, that might have contributed to your Service,
can even now be devifed, I confefs it ought not to have
efcaped me. But if there neither is, nor was, nor can be devi-
fed at this Moment, any fuch Expedient, how ought your Ad-
vifer to have a6led ? Ought he not to have chofen the beft
among all the vilible and practicable Schemes, that occurred
to him ? This I performed, ^fchines, when the Crier de-
manded, WHO IS WILLING TO ADVISE THE PeOPLE ? Not,
who will cenfure paft Meafures ? Not, who will be anfwera-
ble for our future Succefs ? While all this Time you fat fiient
in the Aflembly, I came forward and gave my Opinion. But
fince you then declined it, now at leaft declare ; inform us,
what was that Expedient, which I ought to have invented ?
What Opportunity of ferving the Republic have I negledled ?
What Confederacy, what Scheme of Adion, to which I fhould
rather have urged and impelled this Aflembly? But paft
Tranfadions are totally difregarded, nor do Mankind ever make
them the Subje6l of their Deliberations. The future and the
prefent only demand the Attention of an able Minifter. At
that Period therefore, the future, as it appeared, threatened us
with its Terrors ; the prefent opprefl^ed us with its Misfortunes.
In thefe Circumflances, examine the Maxims, upon which I
founded my Adminiftration ; but do not inveigh againft the
Confequences. Events are determined by the good Pleafure
of God, but the Meafures propofed by a public Minifter alone
difcover
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? IN DEFENCE OF CT ESI PIION. 44. 9
difcover his Abilities and Integrity. Do not therefore impute
it to me as criminal, that Philip hath happened to conquer us
in Battle; for fuch Events are in God's Difpofal, not mine.
But if I did not form every Refolution, that human Prudence
could fuggefl: ; if I did not execute them with Integrity, with
Diligence and an Activity even beyond my natural Strength ; if
the Meafures I fupported were not honourable, neceflary, and
worthy of the Republic, fhew me thefe Fads, and upon thefe
Fadls accufe me. But if the Thunder, falling impetuou fly from
Heaven, or the Winter's Tempeft, rufhing upon us, did not
only overwhelm you, but every other Grecian State, what
could I have done to oppofe it ? Shall the Merchant, who in
fitting out his Veilel for her Voyage hath prudently provided,
and equipped her with whatever he thought necefiary for her
Safety ; if a Storm arile, under which her Mafts labour, and
her Sails are rent, fhall he be accufed of her Shipwreck ? He
might ailed ge, that the Veflel was not under his Diredion ;
neither did I command your Armies 3 neither was I Mafter of
Fortune, but She fole Arbitrefs of all human Affairs.
lET examine and attentively confider this Circumftance
alone ; if fuch hath been our Deftiny, though fighting in Con-
jundlion with the Thebans ; what muft we neceflarily have
expedled, bad we been deprived of their Affiftance, and had
they united with Philip, which he folicited with all the Pov/er of
Words ? If, though the Battle was fought at the Diftance of
Vol. II. M m m three
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? 450 DEMOSTHENES
three Days Journey from Attica, fuch Alarms of Danger;:
fuch Terrors fiirrounded the City ; what might we not juftly
have expeded, had this great Calamity befallen us within our
own Dominions ? Doft thou imagine, that in fuch Circum-
ftances we could have found it poiTible to ftand, to aflemble, to
recover Breath from our Confufion ? The Refpite of one, or
two, or three Days contributed to the Prefervation of Athens^
But it were an ungrateful Office to repeat the Calamities, that
poflibly might have happened in fuch a Situation, and which
by the good Favour of the Gods, and the Interpofition of this
Alliance, which you malignantly cenfure, the Republic never
experienced. .
This Difcourfe is particularly diredled to you, my Judges,
and to the People, who have furrounded the Tribunal, and com-
pofe my Audience. For as to this contemptible Wretch, one
fhort and fimple Argument is decifive. If the Secrets of Fu-
turity were open, ^fchines, to your View alone, you fhould
have foretold the Event, when the Republic had the Affair
under Confideration. But if you were not poffefled of fuch
Forefight, you are now equally accountable with others for
your Ignorance. Why therefore fhould you rather accufe me
of this Want of Sagacity, than I you ? However, with re-
fpe? t to the Matter at prefent in Debate (for there are other
Things I do not yet mention) I fo far approved myfelf a better
Citizen than you, as I devoted myfelf to the vigorous Execu-
tion
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 451
tion of thofe Meafures, which were unanimoufly deemed ex-
pedient, neither declining, nor entertaining a Thought with re-
gard to my own perfonal Danger ; while you neither ofFered any
wifer Counfels (for mine could not otherwife have been received)
nor did you render yourfelf ufeful in forwarding the Execution
of what I propofed. On the contrary, whatever Injuries the
bafeft and moft inveterate Foe to the Commonwealth could
poillbly commit againft her, thou art convifbed of having com-
mitted in thefe Conjundures. While Ariftratus at Naxus, and
Ariftolaus at Thafus, both of them determined Enemies to the
Republic, accufe every Friend of the Athenians, ^fchines
impeaches Demofthenes at Athens. Yet certainly the Man,
who owes his Reputation to the Calamities of Greece, ought
rather to perifh himfelf, than be allowed to accufe another.
Nor is it poffible, that he, whofe Profperity is united with that
of the Enemies of his Country, can ever be well affeded to that
Country, or zealous for its Welfare. The conftant Tenour of
your Life, and every Adion of it, whether you accept, or de-
cline entering into Adminiftration, openly confirm the Truth
of this Reflexion. Does any Projed fucceed ? iEfchines is
filent. Does any unfortunate Accident happen ? u5)fchines
appears. Thus old Fradtures and Strains torment us, when-
ever our general State of Health is affedled.
But fince he thus abundantly infifts upon Events, I fhall
venture to aflert what may probably appear a Paradox ; yet in
M m m 2 the
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? 452 DEMOSTHENES
the dread Name of Jupiter and all our Gods, let none be ama--
zed at the Boldnefs of this AlTertion, but confider it with Can-
dour and Attention. Jf all the Secrets of Futurity had been
open to our View ; if the whole People of Athens had forefeen
the DiftrefTes, that have fmce happened ; if you yourfelf, JE{-
chines, through the whole Affair fo profoundly filent, had
foretold and attefted them with your wonted Clamour and Vo-
ciferation, not even then fhould the Republic have deferted the
Principles fhe had conftantly maintained, if fhe had any regard,
for her Glory, her Anceftors, or her Pofterity. At prefent it-
only appears, that flie hath been difappointed of her Hopes ;
the common Lot of human Kind, when it feemeth good to
divine Providence. But while fhe claimed a Sovereignty over
others, if fhe had then apoflatized from her ancient Principles,,
fhe would have certainly been accufed of betraying the States of
Greece to Philip. Had /he without Refiflance abandoned thofe
Prerogatives, for which our Anceftors with Fortitude fupport-
ed every Danger, who would not, uEfchines, have fpit upon
thee with Vilenefs and Contempt ? Yet furely never would
they have treated the Commonwealth or me with fuch Marks
of Deteftation. But with what Eyes, dread Jupiter! could we
have beheld the People, who now come hither from other Na-
tions, if by our own ignominious Conduit, our Affairs had been
reduced to their prefent unhappy Situation ; or if, when Phi-
lip was elected Commander of our united Forces, and Sove-
reign of Greece, we had bafely refufed our Affiftance to thofe,
who
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? IN DEFENCE O F C T E S I P H O N. 453
who engaged in the Contefl, that poflibly might have prevented
this Difhonour ? Efpecially, fince the RepubHc never in for-
rner Ages preferred an ignominious Security to glorious and
honourable Danger. For what Grecian, what Barbarian is igno-
rant, that the Thebans, and the Lacedasmonians, who had be-
fore them been the moft powerful People of Greece, or that even
the Perfian Monarch, would thankfully and gladly have allowed
the Republic whatever fhe pleafed to accept, befides the fecure
PofTefTion of her own Dominions, provided fhe would herfelf
fubmit to be commanded, and fuffer another to prefide over
Greece ? Such Conditions, it is evident, appeared to the Athe-
nians, of that Age, intolerable, and inconfiftent with the Honours
derived to them from their Anceftors, or with their own innate.
Love of Virtue ; nor through all Time was it ever poflible to
perfuade the Republic to accept of Slavery, upon an Affurance
of Security by uniting with thofe, however powerful,, whofe
Dominion was founded in Oppreffion. Yet fhe entered with
Ardour into the Conflidl, and expofed herfelf to every Danger,
when the Contefl: was for Preeminence, and Fame, and Glory.
Thefe Adlions you have always efteemed fo worthy of your
Veneration, fo agreeable to your Genius and Manners, that you
highly applaud our Anceftors, who performed them ; and with
Juftice applaud. For who does not admire their Virtue, who
had Fortitude enough to leave their Country, their native City,
and to embark onboard their Galleys, rather than fubmit to a
foreign Tyranny? Then having chofen Themiftocles, who
propofed
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? 454 DEMOSTHENES
propofcd this Advice, for their General, they not only floned
Cyriilus to Death, who had declared in Favour of fubmi<<ing
to the Conditions inipofed upon us, but your Women de-
ftroyed his Wife in the fame Manner. The Athenians of thofe
Days did not folicitoufly inquire for an Orator, or a General,
who could procure them an eafy Slavery, but efteemed even
Life itfelf not worth preferving, unlefs it might be enjoyed
with Liberty. Each particular Citizen was perfuaded, he was
not born only for his Father and Mother, but for his Country.
Li what does the Difference confift ? The Man, who imagines
himfelf born to ferve his Parents only, patiently experts his
Hour of Deftiny, and a natural Death j while he, who is con-
vinced, that he received his Being for the Service of his Coun-
try, will rather wifli to die, than to behold her enflaved ; will
look upon Death as far lefs formidable, than the Infults and
Indignities he mufl neceflarily endure in a State difpoffefled
of its Freedom.
Had I therefore attempted even to iniinuate, that I had
infpired you with Sentiments thus worthy of your Anceftors,
I fhould juftly merit your univerfal Indignation. But I de-
clare, they were your own Determinations, and acknowledge,
that the Republic had entertained thefe generous Refolutions
before fhe heard my Advice. Let me however affume to my-
fclf fome Merit in executing thefe glorious Refolves.
But
while i^fchines accufes my whole Adminiftration, and endea-
vours
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 455
vours to enflame your Refcntment againft me, as the Author
of every Terror and Calamity the RepubKc hath experienced,
he purpofes to deprive me of my prefcnt Reputation, and vio-
lently to defpoil you of your future Glory with Pofterity. Be-
caufe, fliould you now condemn Ctefiphon, as if I had not
always propofed the wifeft Counfels in my Adminiftration, you
will appear to have fuffered thefe Calamities by your own Im-
prudence in following fuch Counfels, not by the Capriciouf-
nefs of Fortune. But impoffible, O Men of Athens, it is in-
deed impofllble, you could have aded imprudently in attempt-
ing every Danger for the Freedom and Safety of our common
Country. No ; by our Anceftors ; by thofe, who confronted
the Dangers of War at Marathon j who engaged in the Battle
of Platsae ; who fought in our Fleets at Salamis and Artemi-
fium, and by many other valiant Citizens, whofe Names are now
preferved to Immortality in our public Regifters, and whom
the Commonwealth, efteeming them all equally worthy of the
fanie Honours, hath interred, iEfchines, in one common Se-
pulchre, neither diftinguifhing the fuccefsful, nor the vidori-
ous. Such Diftindion would have been mofi: unjuft ; for
whatever was within the Duty of a Soldier to perform, they
all performed ; but the fupreme Being diflributed to each of
them, according to his own good Pleafure, their particular Suc-
ecfs. Yet here, thouaccurfed Villain; thou miferable Pettifogger,
you tedioufly talk over the Trophies, the Battles and Atchievc-
ments of our Anceftors, to rob me of the Affedion and Eflecm
of
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? 456 D E M O S T H E N E S
of my "Fellow-Citizens. How do they afiFei^: the prefent Con-
teft ? With what Sentiments, thou third-rate Ador, flioiild
J have afcended this Tribunal to advife the Republic, when
Power and Preeminence were the great Objeds of her Deli-
berations ? Should i have propofed any Thing unworthy of
her ancient Glory ? I had juRly deferved Death. Befides, O
Men of Athens, you fhould not proceed upon the fame Prin-
ciples in determining private and public Caufes. But as in
examining the Difputes, that every Day arife in civil Life with
regard to Contracts and Compads, you fhould confult the
Laws fpecially provided, and the Circumftances of each parti-
cular Cafe, fo in any Refolutions, that regard the Common-
wealth, you fliould coniider the Dignity of your Anceftors ;
and when you enter upon this Tribunal to pronounce Sentence
on any Meafure of public Concernment, you fhould afTume,
along with the Symbols and Enligns of your Office, thofe Sen-
timents of Magnanimity thatinfpire the Republic, if you pur-
pofe to adl in a Manner worthy of her Charadter.
But by thus accidentally mentioning the illuftrious Adions
. of your Anceftors, I have pafTed over fome Decrees and Tranf-
aftions of Importance. I fhall therefore return from whence
I digrelTed. Upon our Arrival at Thebes, we found Philip's
AmbafTadors, and thofe of the Theflalians, with his other
Confederates, already afTembled ; we found the Friends of
Athens difpirited ; thofe of Philip infolent and elated. But
to
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 457
to convince you, that I do not mention thefe Circumftances
meerly to ferve my own Purpofes, read me the Letter we im-
mediately fent hither upon opening our Embafly. Yet to fuch
Excefs of Calumny has this Man proceeded, as to attribute
whatever was happily executed, not to me, but to fome favour-
able Conjundlure ; whereas every unfortunate Event he im-
putes to me alone, and to that unhappy Deftiny, which attends
me. Thus, in my proper Character of adviiing and fpeaking,
I have, in his Opinion, no Merit in that Succefs, which only
could arife from Eloquence and Wifdom ; yet am thefole Author
of all our Misfortunes in War, and all the Errors of our Ge-
nerals. Was ever Slanderer more inhuman, or more deferving
of all Execrations ? Read the Letter.
The Letter.
When the Thebans had opened the Affembly, they intro-
duced the Theflalian AmbafTadors, as holding the firft Rank
among the Confederates. They came forward, and harangued
the People, with many an Encomium upon Philip ; with many
an Invedlive againft you, and very minutely recolleded all the
Offences, you had ever committed againft the Thebans. They
concluded with delivering it as their Opinion, that the The-
bans ought to be grateful to Philip for the Benefits he had con-
ferred upon them, and fhould now take Vengeance on you for
the repeated Injuries, you had committed againft them, either
by opening him a paftage to Athens through their Territories,
Vol. II. N n n or
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? 458 DEMOSTHENES
or by uniting with him in his Invafion of your Dominions.
They afterwards demonftratedj according to their own Opinion,
that by the Meafures they recommended, all the Cattle and
Slaves and other Riches of Attica would pafs over into Bceotia ;
and then afferted, that by the Propofals we were going to make,
Bceotia would be expofed to all the Ravages of War. Many
other Arguments they urged, but all tending to the fame Pur-
pofe. And here, with whatever I deem mofl: valuable in Life,
would I gladly purchafe your Permiffion to repeat every parti-
cular Article of our Reply. But I am apprehenfive, while you
imagine, that Time, like a refiftlefs Deluge, hath fwept away
the very Being of thefe Tranfadions, you will receive, as an
idle Impertinence, the Difcourfe, that would recall them to
your Remembrance. I fhall therefore only defire you to hear
the Propofals we made, and the Anfwer they returned. Take
and read it.
The Answer of the Thebans.
They afterwards folicited, and earneftly fent to you for Succours>>
You marched to their Afliftance, and that I may not be obli-
ged to mention any lefs important Circiimftances, they recei-
ved you witli fuch Demonftrations of Friendfhip, that while
their own Troops, both Infantry and Cavalry, were encamped
without their Walls, they admitted your Army into their City
and their Houfes, among their Children, their Wives, and
whatever elfe they efteemed moft valuable. Thus did the The-
bans^
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? IN DEFENCE OF C T E S I P H O N. 459
bans on that memorable Day, in the Sight of all Mankind, give
you three the moft illuftrioiis Proofs of their Efteem ; the firfl:
with regard to your Courage, the fecond to your Juftice, and
the third to your Continence. For by determining to choofe
you as their Fellow- Soldiers in this Conteft, rather than to
fight againft you, they manifeftly declared their Opinion, that
you were fuperior to Philip in your military Charader, and far
more equitable in your Propofals for Peace. Then, by in^
trufting you with whatever is guarded both by them and all
Mankind with greateft Attention, their Children and their
Wives, they clearly fhewed how much Confidence they repofed
in your Virtue. In all thefe Inftances, O Men of Athens, it
hath appeared by the Event, that they judged, with regard to
you, moft rightly. Becaufe, from the Moment your Troops
entered Thebes, there never was the leaft Complaint againft
them, even an unjuft one ; fo regular was your Behaviour.
In the two firft Engagements afterwards, when our Forces and
theirs were united; in that, near the River Cephifllis; the
other, in the Winter after our Alliance, you fhewed yourfelves
not irreproachable only, but worthy of all Admiration in the
Difcipline, and Appointments, and Alacrity of your Troops.
You received abundant Applaufe from others, for your Beha-
viour in thefe Engagements, and you yourfelves oftered Sacri-
fices, and ordered Proceflions to the Gods for your Succefs.
Here therefore I would gladly demand of iEfchines, during
thefe Solemnities, when the City was full of Triumph and Ex-
N n n 2 ultation,
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? 460 DEMOSTHENES
ultation, and Praife, whether he joined in thefe Sacrifices, and
participated of the pubHc Joy ; or whether he fat weeping at
home, and groaning, and indulging the Malevolence of his
Spirit, over the Profperity of his Country ? If he was per-
fonally prefent and afTifted at thefe holy Solemnities, is he not
criminal ; is he not rather impious, if he now advifes you
to condemn thofe Meafures, as ruinous and pernicious, to the
Wifdom and Excellence of which he once called the Gods to
witnefs ? If he were not prefent at them, is he not worthy of
a thoufand Deaths, if he alone beheld with Sorrow, what his
Country celebrated with Joy and Triumph ? Read the Decrees.
Decrees of Sacrifices.
I Thus were we employed in Sacrifices, and while the The-
bans were convinced, they were indebted to us for their Pre-
fervation, fuch was in general rhe Situation of our Affairs, that
we, who lately feemed, by the Machinations of thefe Traitors,
to want Affiftance ourfelves, were now enabled, by following
my Counfels, to fend fuccours to others. What Exclamatiorts
Philip uttered , and what Confufion he was in upon this Oc-
cafion, you will beft learn from his own Letters to the Pelo-
ponnefians. Let them be read. They will convince you,,
what Effeds my unwearied Application wrought, my frequent
Journeys, my Fatigues and numerous Decrees, which ^fchi-
nes hath malignantly calumniated. In Truth, although many
celebrated and excellent Magiftrates, O Men of Athens, have
rifen among us before me, Calliflratus;! Ariftophon, Cephalus,.
Thra-
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 461
Thrafybulus and a thoufand others, yet none of them ever de-
voted himfelf totally and abfolutely to the Republic. He, who
preferred the Decree, never perfonally engaged in the Embafl}\
He, who engaged in the Embafly, never preferred the Decree
by which it was appointed. Each of them referved to himfelf
feme Relaxation from the Fatigue ; fome Refuge and Refource,
if any unfortunate Accident fhould happen. What then (it
may perhaps be objedled) are you fo far fuperior in Abilities and
Intrepidity to others, that you are able, and dare alone under-
take the whole Adminiftration ? I would not venture fuch an
Affertion ; but I imagined fo imminent was the Danger, that
furrounded the Commonwealth, as not to give me Time to
confider and provide for my own perfonal Safety. I befides
imagined, we ought to be perfedly fatisfied, if nothing was
left unattempted, and whatever appeared abfolutely neceflary,
was done for our Security. I then perfuaded myfelf, perhaps
fooliflily, but I perfuaded myfelt, that whoever preferred a
Decree, would never prefer any more falutary, than mine ;
whoever entered into Negotiations, would never execute them
with greater Spirit ; and that whoever engaged in your Em-
baflies, would never difcharge the Fundions of them with more
Integrity. For thefe Reafons I fingly took upon myfelf all
thefe different Employments. Now read Philip's Letters.
The Letters.
To thefe Terms did my Adminiftration, -ffifchines, reduce
Philip, and by me was he compelled to this Language, who
before
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? 462 DEMOSTHENES
before had written to the Republic in a Style of Infolence and
Superiority. For thefe Services I was juftly crowned, nor did
you, though perfonally prefent, oppofe it ; nor had Diondas,
who preferred an Indidment againft it, a fifth Part of the Suff-
rages. Now read the Decrees themfelves, v/hich at that Time
were pronounced moft equitable, and to which ^fchines never
made the leafk Oppofition.
The Decrees.
Those Decrees, O Men of Athens, contain the very fame
Syllables, the very fame Words, that Ariftonicus formerly,
and Ctefiphon makes ufe of at prefent. Yet neither did JEf-
chines profecute them himfelf, nor join with Diondas in his
Profecution, though certainly, if the Crimes, of which he now
accufes me were real, he might with much greater Juftice have
thenprofecuted Demomeles and Hyperides, than have engaged in
his prefent Indictment. Why ? Becaufe Ctefiphon may juftify
himfelf by their Example, and by the former Decifions of our
Courts; by urging, that ^fchines never indicted the Authors
of thofe Decrees, fo exadtly refembling this, which is now
under your Confideration ; and laftly, that the Laws do not
allow a fecond Profecution for any Caufe, already determined ;
with many other Arguments of the fame Kind. The prefent
Affair would have then been determined by its own proper
Merits, before he could have taken Advantage of any Circum-
ftances, that have fince happened. It would then, I prefume, ^
have
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 463
have been impoflible for him to have adted in the Manner he
does atprefent j to have colledled Extradls from ancient Records
and obfolete Decrees, which no Man ever heard of before, or
conid imagine would have been quoted upon the prefent Occa-
fion, meerly with an Intention to calumniate ; to have con-
founded all Dates and Order of Time, or fupprefled the real,
and fubftituted falfe Motives of Adlion, only to maintain the
fpecious Appearance of a Profecution. This Manner of pro-
ceeding would have been then impradlicable. All his Argu-
ments muft hav^e been urged in the very Prefence of Truth it-
felf, while you yourfelves remembered every Circumftance,
and only had them not, at that very Moment, in your own
Hands. Having therefore declined the Proofs and Convit^ion
of Fadls, he now, though late, comes forward, imagining, as
it appears to me, that you have here propofed a Prize of Elo-
quence, not appointed an Inquiry into the Affairs of your Ad-
miniftration ; and that you are now to pronounce Judgement
upon the Power of Words, not upon the Utility of your public
Meafures.
He then argues with exceeding Sophiflry, and affirms, you;
ought no longer to regard the Opinions you brought with you
into this Affembly, either in relation to him or me j but as
when you imagine a Sum of Money to be ftill remaining in any
public Account, yet if the Calculations are clear, and nothing
jjeally remains, you yield to Convidion, and are latisfied ;. in
? hc
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? 464 DEMOSTHENES
the fame Manner you fhould inlift upon a clear and pofitive
Demonftration in the prefent Difpute. Behold how corrupt in
its own Nature, as indeed it ought, is every Argument, that is
not founded upon Truth and Juftice. For even by this very
fubtle Comparifon, it is acknowledged, you are now confcious,
that I am pleading for the Interefts of my Country, and that
j^^fchines is the Advocate of Philip. He never could have been
thus anxious to perfuade you to alter your Opinion of us, if he
had not been aflured, that thefe were your prefent Sentiments. But
I fhall eafily convince you, how iniquitous is the Attempt of en-
gaging you to alter this Opinion, not by arithmetical Calculations,
(for this is not a Computation of Money) but by a fhort Recol-
lection of Fads, while I take this Aflembly, as Auditors at
once and Witnefles to the Account. Inftead of the Thebans
joining with Philip to make an Irruption into our Territories,
which all Mankind expeded, my Adminiftration, which he
thus condemns, produced this good Effed:, that they united
with us to prevent his invading us ; inftead of making Attica
the Seat of War, it was removed to the Frontiers of Boeotia,
almoft ninety Miles from Athens ; inftead of being infefted
and plundered by the Euboean Pyrates, our Sea-Coafts enjoyed
an uninterrupted Security, during the whole War ; inftead of
Philip's making himfelf Mafter of the Hellefpont by reducing
Byzantium, the Byzantians engaged with us againft him. Does
this Account of Fads appear to you, iEfchines, to refemble
your arithmetical Calculations ? Is it neceflary to take thefe v
Articles
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 465
Articles out of the Account ? Or fhould we not rather endea-
vour to perpetuate the Remembrance of them to all future
Ages ? I might add another Circumftance, that others have
unhappily experienced the Cruelty, which it is apparent Philip
conftantly exercifed over all the Nations he fubdued, while
you, by the Wifdom of your Condu6l, have reaped the Fruits
of thaj: pretended Clemency, which he artfully aflumed, with
regard to you, while he was extending and enlarging his Con-
quefts. I do not infift upon thefe Circumftances ; but I fhall
not hefitate to affirm, that whoever would inquire with Candour,
though with Severity, into the Condud of a public Minifter,
and not purfue him meerly with the Malevolence of a Slanderer,
would not accufe him, as thou haft done, by inventing Com-
parifons, ridiculing his Words and mimicking his Geftures (for
do you not abfolutely behold, that the Fate of Greece depended
upon my ufing this, not that particular Expreffion ; upon my
extending my hand on this, not on the other fide ? } but he
would examine Fads themfelves with Attention ; what Re-
fources the Republic poffefted, what military Strength, when
I entered into Miniftry ; and what Addition of Power I ac-
quired for her, while I was in the Diredion of Affairs. He
would afterwards inquire into the State and Circumftances of
our Enemies. If then I have leflened the Strength of the Re-
public, in any one of thefe Inftances, prove and convid me of
. the Crime ; but if I have conftderably augmented it, do not
abufe me with Slander and Invedlives. However, ftnce he
Vol. II. O o o hath
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? 466 DEMOSTHENES
hath avoided this Method of Proceeding I will undertake it, and
do you confider the Juftice of my Difcourfe.
The Forces of the Republic at that Period confifled of the
lilanders, nor indeed of all, but even the leaft powerful among
them ; for neither Chios, Rhodes, nor Corcyra were united
with us. Our Funds amounted only to forty-five Talents,
and even thefe were anticipated. We had neither Infantry,
nor Cavalry, befides our own domeftic Troops.
? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 443
<' after thefe Ambafladors fliall have arrived at Thebes. Make no
" Demands upon the Thebans. At fuch a Conjundure, it were
^^ difhonourable. Promife them your Afliftance, if they de-
** fire it, vi^ithout Referve, becaufe you think they are invoh'ed
" in the utmoft Diftrefs, while you have more prudently fore-
" feen this Event. Thus, if they accept our Offers, and will
" be direded by our Advice, we fliall attain the End we pro-
" pofe, and our Proceedings will have an honourable Appear-
" ance, and worthy of the Republic. Or if unhappily our
" Endeavours fail of Succefs, the Thebans muft blame them-
" felves for whatever Errors they may hereafter commit, while
** nothing difhonourable, nothing inglorious can be imputed
" to the Commonwealth. "
Having urged thefe Arguments, and others of the fame
Kind, I defcended from the Tribunal. When my Difcourfe
was univerfally applauded (not a fingle Negative in Oppofition)
I did not only give you my Advice in Words, but propofed it
in Writing ; I did not only propofe it in Writing, but under-
took the Embafly ; nor did I undertake the Embaffy alone,
but fucceeded in perfuading the Thebans. I began, I continu-
ed, I perfedled the Work, and for your Service devoted my-
felf without Referve to the Dangers, that furrounded the Re-
public. Now read me the Decree, that I preferred on this Oc-
cafion. Yet tell me, iEfchines, how I fliall reprefent either my-
felf or jou on that important Day ? Shall I confefs myfelf that
L 11 2 effeminate
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? 444 DEMOSTHENES
effeminate Batalus your Calumnies and Sarcafms have called mc,
yet acknowledge you an abfolute Hero, and of no mean Degree ;
one of our theatrical Heroes ; a Crefphontes, or a Creon, or
that Oenomaus, whom you tragically murdered in one of our
Villages by your miferable performance ? Yet I, the Athe-
nian Batalus, manifeftly appeared, upon that decifive Occafion,,
far more worthy of my Country, than you, the theatrical Oe-
nomaus. Not in any one lingle Inftance were you ever ufeful
or profitable to the State ; whereas I have performed every
Duty and Service, that a good Citizen owes to his Country*
Read the Decree.
The Decree of Demosthemes,
Under the Archonfhip of Naulicles, the Tribe of Ajax.
prefidiog in Council, on the iixteenth of June, Demofthenes
propofed the following Decree. Whereas Philip, King of
the Macedonians, hath in Time paft openly violated his Trea-
ties concluded with the Athenian People, regardlefs of the Oaths,
by which they were ratified, and of every other Obligation
held facred by the Greeks ; taking PoffefHon of Cities, which
did not of Right belong to him, and of fome confeffedly under
the Dominion of the Athenians, although he never had received
the leaft Provocation to thefe A6ls of HoftiHty : and whereas
he flill makes a greater Progrefs in Violence and Cruelty, putting
Garrifons into fome of the Cities of Greece, and deftroying their
ancient Forms of Government ; rafing others to their Founda-
tions,
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 445
$ions, and enflaving their Inhabitants ; planting Colonies of Bar-
barians in others; expelling their Grecian Poflcirors, and de-
livering up to Violation their Temples and their Sepulchres
(in thefe Inftances, however, ading not inconfiftently with the
Manners of his Country, or his own natural Genius) intempe-
rately abufing his prefent good Fortune, and forgetful that he
hath unexpededly rifen to this Greatnefs, from an inconfide-
rable and obfcure Original. While the Athenians beheld him
reducing to his Obedience barbarian Cities only, that had no
Society or Alliance with Greece, they did not confider it as a
perfonal Injury, that merited their Refentment. But when
they now behold the Grecian Cities, fome of them infulted,
others ruined to their Foundations, they muft efteem it crimi-
nal in them, and unworthy of the Gloiy of their Anceftors,
indolently to fee the Greeks enilaved. It is therefore refolved
by the Senate and People of Athens, having firft put up their
Petitions, and offered Sacrifices to the immortal Gods, and
Heroes, Guardians and Protedors of this City and its Territo-
ries, and then having deeply imprefled upon their Minds the
Remembrance of the Virtues of their Anceftors, who were al-
ways more anxious to preserve the Liberties of Greece, than
even their own native Soil ; it is refolved, that two hundred
Galleys fhall immediately put to Sea, and their Admiral feC
Sail for the Streights of Thermopylae ; that our Generals fhall
afiemble the Troops, both Infantry and Cavalry, at Eleufis ;
that Ambaffadors fhall be fent to the other Grecian States, but
firft
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? 446 DEMOSTHENES
firfl of all to the Thebans, becaufe Philip has marched nearer
to their Frontiers ; that thefe Ambaffadors fhall encourage and
exhort them not to be terrified at Philip's Approach, but
firmly to maintain their own and the Liberties of Greece ; fhall
give them every AiTurance, that the Athenian People no longer
remember the Injuries they have received (if perhaps the
two Republics may have formerly injured each other) but will
afTift the Thebans with Men and Money and Arms, ofTenfive
and defenfive ; being confcious, that when Greeks contend
with Greeks for Sovereignty, the Contefl is glorious; but to
be governed by a Barbarian, and to be defpoiled by him of all
Authority, is unworthy of their own Honour, and the ancient
Glory of their Anceflors : that befides, the Athenian People
do not efteem the Thebans as Aliens and Foreigners, either
with regard to the Dignity of their Origin, or their being Na-
tives of one common Soil ; that they remember the Benefits,
which their Forefathers conferred upon thofe of the Thebans ;
that they reflored the Defcendants of Hercules, who were dif-
pofTefTed by the Peloponnefians of their hereditary Dominions,
and won a decifive Vidory over the Nations, that endeavoured
to oppofe their Reftoration : that they hofpitably received Oedi-
pus and the Party, that was banifhed with him, befides many
other very honourable Inftances of their AfFedion and Hu-
manity. For thefe Reafons, the Athenian People never will
dcfert the Interefts of Thebes, or of Greece in general ; and
are now ready to conclude an Alliance ofFenfive and defenfive,
to
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? IN DEFENCE OF C T E S I P H O N. 447
to be confirmed by all the Rights of Intermarriage, and by
Oaths mutually given and received. Demofthenes, Hyperides,
Mnefithides, Democrates, Callaefchrus, were deputed Ambaf-
fadors.
J
This was the Beginning and firfl: Foundation of our Union
with the Thebans. Before that Time, the two Republics were
violently impelled by thefe Traitors to mutual Enmity, Hatred
and Jealouiy. By this Decree, the Danger, that furrounded
the Commonwealth, paft away like a Cloud, and was diffipa-
ted. It was then the Duty of an able and honeft Citizen, if
he had any more falutary Meafures to propole, to propofe them
openly ; not now to cenfure and accufe. For although a
Minifter, who gives his Advice to his Country, and a factious
Calumniator, do not in any one Inftance refemble each other,
yet in this they principally differ. The firft delivers his Opinion
before the Event, and renders himfelf accountable to thofe,
who have afted in Compliance with his Advice \ to Fortune ;
to Contingences, and to whoever pleafes to demand a Realbn
for his Conduct. The fecond is filent when he fliould fpeak,
and whatever Misfortunes happen are the Subjedl of his Invec-
tives. This was the Period therefore, as I have already obfer-
ved, that required a Man, folicitous for his Country, and capa-
ble of giving her more falutary Counfel. Yet I will boldly
venture fo far as to affirm, that if any one can even now difcover
a better, or indeed any other Plan of Operations, that what I
then
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? 44-8 DEMOSTHENES
then propofed, I will acknowledge myfelf guilty. Becaufe, if
any Expedient, that might have contributed to your Service,
can even now be devifed, I confefs it ought not to have
efcaped me. But if there neither is, nor was, nor can be devi-
fed at this Moment, any fuch Expedient, how ought your Ad-
vifer to have a6led ? Ought he not to have chofen the beft
among all the vilible and practicable Schemes, that occurred
to him ? This I performed, ^fchines, when the Crier de-
manded, WHO IS WILLING TO ADVISE THE PeOPLE ? Not,
who will cenfure paft Meafures ? Not, who will be anfwera-
ble for our future Succefs ? While all this Time you fat fiient
in the Aflembly, I came forward and gave my Opinion. But
fince you then declined it, now at leaft declare ; inform us,
what was that Expedient, which I ought to have invented ?
What Opportunity of ferving the Republic have I negledled ?
What Confederacy, what Scheme of Adion, to which I fhould
rather have urged and impelled this Aflembly? But paft
Tranfadions are totally difregarded, nor do Mankind ever make
them the Subje6l of their Deliberations. The future and the
prefent only demand the Attention of an able Minifter. At
that Period therefore, the future, as it appeared, threatened us
with its Terrors ; the prefent opprefl^ed us with its Misfortunes.
In thefe Circumflances, examine the Maxims, upon which I
founded my Adminiftration ; but do not inveigh againft the
Confequences. Events are determined by the good Pleafure
of God, but the Meafures propofed by a public Minifter alone
difcover
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? IN DEFENCE OF CT ESI PIION. 44. 9
difcover his Abilities and Integrity. Do not therefore impute
it to me as criminal, that Philip hath happened to conquer us
in Battle; for fuch Events are in God's Difpofal, not mine.
But if I did not form every Refolution, that human Prudence
could fuggefl: ; if I did not execute them with Integrity, with
Diligence and an Activity even beyond my natural Strength ; if
the Meafures I fupported were not honourable, neceflary, and
worthy of the Republic, fhew me thefe Fads, and upon thefe
Fadls accufe me. But if the Thunder, falling impetuou fly from
Heaven, or the Winter's Tempeft, rufhing upon us, did not
only overwhelm you, but every other Grecian State, what
could I have done to oppofe it ? Shall the Merchant, who in
fitting out his Veilel for her Voyage hath prudently provided,
and equipped her with whatever he thought necefiary for her
Safety ; if a Storm arile, under which her Mafts labour, and
her Sails are rent, fhall he be accufed of her Shipwreck ? He
might ailed ge, that the Veflel was not under his Diredion ;
neither did I command your Armies 3 neither was I Mafter of
Fortune, but She fole Arbitrefs of all human Affairs.
lET examine and attentively confider this Circumftance
alone ; if fuch hath been our Deftiny, though fighting in Con-
jundlion with the Thebans ; what muft we neceflarily have
expedled, bad we been deprived of their Affiftance, and had
they united with Philip, which he folicited with all the Pov/er of
Words ? If, though the Battle was fought at the Diftance of
Vol. II. M m m three
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? 450 DEMOSTHENES
three Days Journey from Attica, fuch Alarms of Danger;:
fuch Terrors fiirrounded the City ; what might we not juftly
have expeded, had this great Calamity befallen us within our
own Dominions ? Doft thou imagine, that in fuch Circum-
ftances we could have found it poiTible to ftand, to aflemble, to
recover Breath from our Confufion ? The Refpite of one, or
two, or three Days contributed to the Prefervation of Athens^
But it were an ungrateful Office to repeat the Calamities, that
poflibly might have happened in fuch a Situation, and which
by the good Favour of the Gods, and the Interpofition of this
Alliance, which you malignantly cenfure, the Republic never
experienced. .
This Difcourfe is particularly diredled to you, my Judges,
and to the People, who have furrounded the Tribunal, and com-
pofe my Audience. For as to this contemptible Wretch, one
fhort and fimple Argument is decifive. If the Secrets of Fu-
turity were open, ^fchines, to your View alone, you fhould
have foretold the Event, when the Republic had the Affair
under Confideration. But if you were not poffefled of fuch
Forefight, you are now equally accountable with others for
your Ignorance. Why therefore fhould you rather accufe me
of this Want of Sagacity, than I you ? However, with re-
fpe? t to the Matter at prefent in Debate (for there are other
Things I do not yet mention) I fo far approved myfelf a better
Citizen than you, as I devoted myfelf to the vigorous Execu-
tion
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 451
tion of thofe Meafures, which were unanimoufly deemed ex-
pedient, neither declining, nor entertaining a Thought with re-
gard to my own perfonal Danger ; while you neither ofFered any
wifer Counfels (for mine could not otherwife have been received)
nor did you render yourfelf ufeful in forwarding the Execution
of what I propofed. On the contrary, whatever Injuries the
bafeft and moft inveterate Foe to the Commonwealth could
poillbly commit againft her, thou art convifbed of having com-
mitted in thefe Conjundures. While Ariftratus at Naxus, and
Ariftolaus at Thafus, both of them determined Enemies to the
Republic, accufe every Friend of the Athenians, ^fchines
impeaches Demofthenes at Athens. Yet certainly the Man,
who owes his Reputation to the Calamities of Greece, ought
rather to perifh himfelf, than be allowed to accufe another.
Nor is it poffible, that he, whofe Profperity is united with that
of the Enemies of his Country, can ever be well affeded to that
Country, or zealous for its Welfare. The conftant Tenour of
your Life, and every Adion of it, whether you accept, or de-
cline entering into Adminiftration, openly confirm the Truth
of this Reflexion. Does any Projed fucceed ? iEfchines is
filent. Does any unfortunate Accident happen ? u5)fchines
appears. Thus old Fradtures and Strains torment us, when-
ever our general State of Health is affedled.
But fince he thus abundantly infifts upon Events, I fhall
venture to aflert what may probably appear a Paradox ; yet in
M m m 2 the
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? 452 DEMOSTHENES
the dread Name of Jupiter and all our Gods, let none be ama--
zed at the Boldnefs of this AlTertion, but confider it with Can-
dour and Attention. Jf all the Secrets of Futurity had been
open to our View ; if the whole People of Athens had forefeen
the DiftrefTes, that have fmce happened ; if you yourfelf, JE{-
chines, through the whole Affair fo profoundly filent, had
foretold and attefted them with your wonted Clamour and Vo-
ciferation, not even then fhould the Republic have deferted the
Principles fhe had conftantly maintained, if fhe had any regard,
for her Glory, her Anceftors, or her Pofterity. At prefent it-
only appears, that flie hath been difappointed of her Hopes ;
the common Lot of human Kind, when it feemeth good to
divine Providence. But while fhe claimed a Sovereignty over
others, if fhe had then apoflatized from her ancient Principles,,
fhe would have certainly been accufed of betraying the States of
Greece to Philip. Had /he without Refiflance abandoned thofe
Prerogatives, for which our Anceftors with Fortitude fupport-
ed every Danger, who would not, uEfchines, have fpit upon
thee with Vilenefs and Contempt ? Yet furely never would
they have treated the Commonwealth or me with fuch Marks
of Deteftation. But with what Eyes, dread Jupiter! could we
have beheld the People, who now come hither from other Na-
tions, if by our own ignominious Conduit, our Affairs had been
reduced to their prefent unhappy Situation ; or if, when Phi-
lip was elected Commander of our united Forces, and Sove-
reign of Greece, we had bafely refufed our Affiftance to thofe,
who
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? IN DEFENCE O F C T E S I P H O N. 453
who engaged in the Contefl, that poflibly might have prevented
this Difhonour ? Efpecially, fince the RepubHc never in for-
rner Ages preferred an ignominious Security to glorious and
honourable Danger. For what Grecian, what Barbarian is igno-
rant, that the Thebans, and the Lacedasmonians, who had be-
fore them been the moft powerful People of Greece, or that even
the Perfian Monarch, would thankfully and gladly have allowed
the Republic whatever fhe pleafed to accept, befides the fecure
PofTefTion of her own Dominions, provided fhe would herfelf
fubmit to be commanded, and fuffer another to prefide over
Greece ? Such Conditions, it is evident, appeared to the Athe-
nians, of that Age, intolerable, and inconfiftent with the Honours
derived to them from their Anceftors, or with their own innate.
Love of Virtue ; nor through all Time was it ever poflible to
perfuade the Republic to accept of Slavery, upon an Affurance
of Security by uniting with thofe, however powerful,, whofe
Dominion was founded in Oppreffion. Yet fhe entered with
Ardour into the Conflidl, and expofed herfelf to every Danger,
when the Contefl: was for Preeminence, and Fame, and Glory.
Thefe Adlions you have always efteemed fo worthy of your
Veneration, fo agreeable to your Genius and Manners, that you
highly applaud our Anceftors, who performed them ; and with
Juftice applaud. For who does not admire their Virtue, who
had Fortitude enough to leave their Country, their native City,
and to embark onboard their Galleys, rather than fubmit to a
foreign Tyranny? Then having chofen Themiftocles, who
propofed
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? 454 DEMOSTHENES
propofcd this Advice, for their General, they not only floned
Cyriilus to Death, who had declared in Favour of fubmi<<ing
to the Conditions inipofed upon us, but your Women de-
ftroyed his Wife in the fame Manner. The Athenians of thofe
Days did not folicitoufly inquire for an Orator, or a General,
who could procure them an eafy Slavery, but efteemed even
Life itfelf not worth preferving, unlefs it might be enjoyed
with Liberty. Each particular Citizen was perfuaded, he was
not born only for his Father and Mother, but for his Country.
Li what does the Difference confift ? The Man, who imagines
himfelf born to ferve his Parents only, patiently experts his
Hour of Deftiny, and a natural Death j while he, who is con-
vinced, that he received his Being for the Service of his Coun-
try, will rather wifli to die, than to behold her enflaved ; will
look upon Death as far lefs formidable, than the Infults and
Indignities he mufl neceflarily endure in a State difpoffefled
of its Freedom.
Had I therefore attempted even to iniinuate, that I had
infpired you with Sentiments thus worthy of your Anceftors,
I fhould juftly merit your univerfal Indignation. But I de-
clare, they were your own Determinations, and acknowledge,
that the Republic had entertained thefe generous Refolutions
before fhe heard my Advice. Let me however affume to my-
fclf fome Merit in executing thefe glorious Refolves.
But
while i^fchines accufes my whole Adminiftration, and endea-
vours
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 455
vours to enflame your Refcntment againft me, as the Author
of every Terror and Calamity the RepubKc hath experienced,
he purpofes to deprive me of my prefcnt Reputation, and vio-
lently to defpoil you of your future Glory with Pofterity. Be-
caufe, fliould you now condemn Ctefiphon, as if I had not
always propofed the wifeft Counfels in my Adminiftration, you
will appear to have fuffered thefe Calamities by your own Im-
prudence in following fuch Counfels, not by the Capriciouf-
nefs of Fortune. But impoffible, O Men of Athens, it is in-
deed impofllble, you could have aded imprudently in attempt-
ing every Danger for the Freedom and Safety of our common
Country. No ; by our Anceftors ; by thofe, who confronted
the Dangers of War at Marathon j who engaged in the Battle
of Platsae ; who fought in our Fleets at Salamis and Artemi-
fium, and by many other valiant Citizens, whofe Names are now
preferved to Immortality in our public Regifters, and whom
the Commonwealth, efteeming them all equally worthy of the
fanie Honours, hath interred, iEfchines, in one common Se-
pulchre, neither diftinguifhing the fuccefsful, nor the vidori-
ous. Such Diftindion would have been mofi: unjuft ; for
whatever was within the Duty of a Soldier to perform, they
all performed ; but the fupreme Being diflributed to each of
them, according to his own good Pleafure, their particular Suc-
ecfs. Yet here, thouaccurfed Villain; thou miferable Pettifogger,
you tedioufly talk over the Trophies, the Battles and Atchievc-
ments of our Anceftors, to rob me of the Affedion and Eflecm
of
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? 456 D E M O S T H E N E S
of my "Fellow-Citizens. How do they afiFei^: the prefent Con-
teft ? With what Sentiments, thou third-rate Ador, flioiild
J have afcended this Tribunal to advife the Republic, when
Power and Preeminence were the great Objeds of her Deli-
berations ? Should i have propofed any Thing unworthy of
her ancient Glory ? I had juRly deferved Death. Befides, O
Men of Athens, you fhould not proceed upon the fame Prin-
ciples in determining private and public Caufes. But as in
examining the Difputes, that every Day arife in civil Life with
regard to Contracts and Compads, you fhould confult the
Laws fpecially provided, and the Circumftances of each parti-
cular Cafe, fo in any Refolutions, that regard the Common-
wealth, you fliould coniider the Dignity of your Anceftors ;
and when you enter upon this Tribunal to pronounce Sentence
on any Meafure of public Concernment, you fhould afTume,
along with the Symbols and Enligns of your Office, thofe Sen-
timents of Magnanimity thatinfpire the Republic, if you pur-
pofe to adl in a Manner worthy of her Charadter.
But by thus accidentally mentioning the illuftrious Adions
. of your Anceftors, I have pafTed over fome Decrees and Tranf-
aftions of Importance. I fhall therefore return from whence
I digrelTed. Upon our Arrival at Thebes, we found Philip's
AmbafTadors, and thofe of the Theflalians, with his other
Confederates, already afTembled ; we found the Friends of
Athens difpirited ; thofe of Philip infolent and elated. But
to
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 457
to convince you, that I do not mention thefe Circumftances
meerly to ferve my own Purpofes, read me the Letter we im-
mediately fent hither upon opening our Embafly. Yet to fuch
Excefs of Calumny has this Man proceeded, as to attribute
whatever was happily executed, not to me, but to fome favour-
able Conjundlure ; whereas every unfortunate Event he im-
putes to me alone, and to that unhappy Deftiny, which attends
me. Thus, in my proper Character of adviiing and fpeaking,
I have, in his Opinion, no Merit in that Succefs, which only
could arife from Eloquence and Wifdom ; yet am thefole Author
of all our Misfortunes in War, and all the Errors of our Ge-
nerals. Was ever Slanderer more inhuman, or more deferving
of all Execrations ? Read the Letter.
The Letter.
When the Thebans had opened the Affembly, they intro-
duced the Theflalian AmbafTadors, as holding the firft Rank
among the Confederates. They came forward, and harangued
the People, with many an Encomium upon Philip ; with many
an Invedlive againft you, and very minutely recolleded all the
Offences, you had ever committed againft the Thebans. They
concluded with delivering it as their Opinion, that the The-
bans ought to be grateful to Philip for the Benefits he had con-
ferred upon them, and fhould now take Vengeance on you for
the repeated Injuries, you had committed againft them, either
by opening him a paftage to Athens through their Territories,
Vol. II. N n n or
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? 458 DEMOSTHENES
or by uniting with him in his Invafion of your Dominions.
They afterwards demonftratedj according to their own Opinion,
that by the Meafures they recommended, all the Cattle and
Slaves and other Riches of Attica would pafs over into Bceotia ;
and then afferted, that by the Propofals we were going to make,
Bceotia would be expofed to all the Ravages of War. Many
other Arguments they urged, but all tending to the fame Pur-
pofe. And here, with whatever I deem mofl: valuable in Life,
would I gladly purchafe your Permiffion to repeat every parti-
cular Article of our Reply. But I am apprehenfive, while you
imagine, that Time, like a refiftlefs Deluge, hath fwept away
the very Being of thefe Tranfadions, you will receive, as an
idle Impertinence, the Difcourfe, that would recall them to
your Remembrance. I fhall therefore only defire you to hear
the Propofals we made, and the Anfwer they returned. Take
and read it.
The Answer of the Thebans.
They afterwards folicited, and earneftly fent to you for Succours>>
You marched to their Afliftance, and that I may not be obli-
ged to mention any lefs important Circiimftances, they recei-
ved you witli fuch Demonftrations of Friendfhip, that while
their own Troops, both Infantry and Cavalry, were encamped
without their Walls, they admitted your Army into their City
and their Houfes, among their Children, their Wives, and
whatever elfe they efteemed moft valuable. Thus did the The-
bans^
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? IN DEFENCE OF C T E S I P H O N. 459
bans on that memorable Day, in the Sight of all Mankind, give
you three the moft illuftrioiis Proofs of their Efteem ; the firfl:
with regard to your Courage, the fecond to your Juftice, and
the third to your Continence. For by determining to choofe
you as their Fellow- Soldiers in this Conteft, rather than to
fight againft you, they manifeftly declared their Opinion, that
you were fuperior to Philip in your military Charader, and far
more equitable in your Propofals for Peace. Then, by in^
trufting you with whatever is guarded both by them and all
Mankind with greateft Attention, their Children and their
Wives, they clearly fhewed how much Confidence they repofed
in your Virtue. In all thefe Inftances, O Men of Athens, it
hath appeared by the Event, that they judged, with regard to
you, moft rightly. Becaufe, from the Moment your Troops
entered Thebes, there never was the leaft Complaint againft
them, even an unjuft one ; fo regular was your Behaviour.
In the two firft Engagements afterwards, when our Forces and
theirs were united; in that, near the River Cephifllis; the
other, in the Winter after our Alliance, you fhewed yourfelves
not irreproachable only, but worthy of all Admiration in the
Difcipline, and Appointments, and Alacrity of your Troops.
You received abundant Applaufe from others, for your Beha-
viour in thefe Engagements, and you yourfelves oftered Sacri-
fices, and ordered Proceflions to the Gods for your Succefs.
Here therefore I would gladly demand of iEfchines, during
thefe Solemnities, when the City was full of Triumph and Ex-
N n n 2 ultation,
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? 460 DEMOSTHENES
ultation, and Praife, whether he joined in thefe Sacrifices, and
participated of the pubHc Joy ; or whether he fat weeping at
home, and groaning, and indulging the Malevolence of his
Spirit, over the Profperity of his Country ? If he was per-
fonally prefent and afTifted at thefe holy Solemnities, is he not
criminal ; is he not rather impious, if he now advifes you
to condemn thofe Meafures, as ruinous and pernicious, to the
Wifdom and Excellence of which he once called the Gods to
witnefs ? If he were not prefent at them, is he not worthy of
a thoufand Deaths, if he alone beheld with Sorrow, what his
Country celebrated with Joy and Triumph ? Read the Decrees.
Decrees of Sacrifices.
I Thus were we employed in Sacrifices, and while the The-
bans were convinced, they were indebted to us for their Pre-
fervation, fuch was in general rhe Situation of our Affairs, that
we, who lately feemed, by the Machinations of thefe Traitors,
to want Affiftance ourfelves, were now enabled, by following
my Counfels, to fend fuccours to others. What Exclamatiorts
Philip uttered , and what Confufion he was in upon this Oc-
cafion, you will beft learn from his own Letters to the Pelo-
ponnefians. Let them be read. They will convince you,,
what Effeds my unwearied Application wrought, my frequent
Journeys, my Fatigues and numerous Decrees, which ^fchi-
nes hath malignantly calumniated. In Truth, although many
celebrated and excellent Magiftrates, O Men of Athens, have
rifen among us before me, Calliflratus;! Ariftophon, Cephalus,.
Thra-
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 461
Thrafybulus and a thoufand others, yet none of them ever de-
voted himfelf totally and abfolutely to the Republic. He, who
preferred the Decree, never perfonally engaged in the Embafl}\
He, who engaged in the Embafly, never preferred the Decree
by which it was appointed. Each of them referved to himfelf
feme Relaxation from the Fatigue ; fome Refuge and Refource,
if any unfortunate Accident fhould happen. What then (it
may perhaps be objedled) are you fo far fuperior in Abilities and
Intrepidity to others, that you are able, and dare alone under-
take the whole Adminiftration ? I would not venture fuch an
Affertion ; but I imagined fo imminent was the Danger, that
furrounded the Commonwealth, as not to give me Time to
confider and provide for my own perfonal Safety. I befides
imagined, we ought to be perfedly fatisfied, if nothing was
left unattempted, and whatever appeared abfolutely neceflary,
was done for our Security. I then perfuaded myfelf, perhaps
fooliflily, but I perfuaded myfelt, that whoever preferred a
Decree, would never prefer any more falutary, than mine ;
whoever entered into Negotiations, would never execute them
with greater Spirit ; and that whoever engaged in your Em-
baflies, would never difcharge the Fundions of them with more
Integrity. For thefe Reafons I fingly took upon myfelf all
thefe different Employments. Now read Philip's Letters.
The Letters.
To thefe Terms did my Adminiftration, -ffifchines, reduce
Philip, and by me was he compelled to this Language, who
before
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? 462 DEMOSTHENES
before had written to the Republic in a Style of Infolence and
Superiority. For thefe Services I was juftly crowned, nor did
you, though perfonally prefent, oppofe it ; nor had Diondas,
who preferred an Indidment againft it, a fifth Part of the Suff-
rages. Now read the Decrees themfelves, v/hich at that Time
were pronounced moft equitable, and to which ^fchines never
made the leafk Oppofition.
The Decrees.
Those Decrees, O Men of Athens, contain the very fame
Syllables, the very fame Words, that Ariftonicus formerly,
and Ctefiphon makes ufe of at prefent. Yet neither did JEf-
chines profecute them himfelf, nor join with Diondas in his
Profecution, though certainly, if the Crimes, of which he now
accufes me were real, he might with much greater Juftice have
thenprofecuted Demomeles and Hyperides, than have engaged in
his prefent Indictment. Why ? Becaufe Ctefiphon may juftify
himfelf by their Example, and by the former Decifions of our
Courts; by urging, that ^fchines never indicted the Authors
of thofe Decrees, fo exadtly refembling this, which is now
under your Confideration ; and laftly, that the Laws do not
allow a fecond Profecution for any Caufe, already determined ;
with many other Arguments of the fame Kind. The prefent
Affair would have then been determined by its own proper
Merits, before he could have taken Advantage of any Circum-
ftances, that have fince happened. It would then, I prefume, ^
have
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 463
have been impoflible for him to have adted in the Manner he
does atprefent j to have colledled Extradls from ancient Records
and obfolete Decrees, which no Man ever heard of before, or
conid imagine would have been quoted upon the prefent Occa-
fion, meerly with an Intention to calumniate ; to have con-
founded all Dates and Order of Time, or fupprefled the real,
and fubftituted falfe Motives of Adlion, only to maintain the
fpecious Appearance of a Profecution. This Manner of pro-
ceeding would have been then impradlicable. All his Argu-
ments muft hav^e been urged in the very Prefence of Truth it-
felf, while you yourfelves remembered every Circumftance,
and only had them not, at that very Moment, in your own
Hands. Having therefore declined the Proofs and Convit^ion
of Fadls, he now, though late, comes forward, imagining, as
it appears to me, that you have here propofed a Prize of Elo-
quence, not appointed an Inquiry into the Affairs of your Ad-
miniftration ; and that you are now to pronounce Judgement
upon the Power of Words, not upon the Utility of your public
Meafures.
He then argues with exceeding Sophiflry, and affirms, you;
ought no longer to regard the Opinions you brought with you
into this Affembly, either in relation to him or me j but as
when you imagine a Sum of Money to be ftill remaining in any
public Account, yet if the Calculations are clear, and nothing
jjeally remains, you yield to Convidion, and are latisfied ;. in
? hc
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? 464 DEMOSTHENES
the fame Manner you fhould inlift upon a clear and pofitive
Demonftration in the prefent Difpute. Behold how corrupt in
its own Nature, as indeed it ought, is every Argument, that is
not founded upon Truth and Juftice. For even by this very
fubtle Comparifon, it is acknowledged, you are now confcious,
that I am pleading for the Interefts of my Country, and that
j^^fchines is the Advocate of Philip. He never could have been
thus anxious to perfuade you to alter your Opinion of us, if he
had not been aflured, that thefe were your prefent Sentiments. But
I fhall eafily convince you, how iniquitous is the Attempt of en-
gaging you to alter this Opinion, not by arithmetical Calculations,
(for this is not a Computation of Money) but by a fhort Recol-
lection of Fads, while I take this Aflembly, as Auditors at
once and Witnefles to the Account. Inftead of the Thebans
joining with Philip to make an Irruption into our Territories,
which all Mankind expeded, my Adminiftration, which he
thus condemns, produced this good Effed:, that they united
with us to prevent his invading us ; inftead of making Attica
the Seat of War, it was removed to the Frontiers of Boeotia,
almoft ninety Miles from Athens ; inftead of being infefted
and plundered by the Euboean Pyrates, our Sea-Coafts enjoyed
an uninterrupted Security, during the whole War ; inftead of
Philip's making himfelf Mafter of the Hellefpont by reducing
Byzantium, the Byzantians engaged with us againft him. Does
this Account of Fads appear to you, iEfchines, to refemble
your arithmetical Calculations ? Is it neceflary to take thefe v
Articles
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? IN DEFENCE OF CTESIPHON. 465
Articles out of the Account ? Or fhould we not rather endea-
vour to perpetuate the Remembrance of them to all future
Ages ? I might add another Circumftance, that others have
unhappily experienced the Cruelty, which it is apparent Philip
conftantly exercifed over all the Nations he fubdued, while
you, by the Wifdom of your Condu6l, have reaped the Fruits
of thaj: pretended Clemency, which he artfully aflumed, with
regard to you, while he was extending and enlarging his Con-
quefts. I do not infift upon thefe Circumftances ; but I fhall
not hefitate to affirm, that whoever would inquire with Candour,
though with Severity, into the Condud of a public Minifter,
and not purfue him meerly with the Malevolence of a Slanderer,
would not accufe him, as thou haft done, by inventing Com-
parifons, ridiculing his Words and mimicking his Geftures (for
do you not abfolutely behold, that the Fate of Greece depended
upon my ufing this, not that particular Expreffion ; upon my
extending my hand on this, not on the other fide ? } but he
would examine Fads themfelves with Attention ; what Re-
fources the Republic poffefted, what military Strength, when
I entered into Miniftry ; and what Addition of Power I ac-
quired for her, while I was in the Diredion of Affairs. He
would afterwards inquire into the State and Circumftances of
our Enemies. If then I have leflened the Strength of the Re-
public, in any one of thefe Inftances, prove and convid me of
. the Crime ; but if I have conftderably augmented it, do not
abufe me with Slander and Invedlives. However, ftnce he
Vol. II. O o o hath
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? 466 DEMOSTHENES
hath avoided this Method of Proceeding I will undertake it, and
do you confider the Juftice of my Difcourfe.
The Forces of the Republic at that Period confifled of the
lilanders, nor indeed of all, but even the leaft powerful among
them ; for neither Chios, Rhodes, nor Corcyra were united
with us. Our Funds amounted only to forty-five Talents,
and even thefe were anticipated. We had neither Infantry,
nor Cavalry, befides our own domeftic Troops.
