first
appearance
as a competitor for the prize of
14, v.
14, v.
William Smith - 1844 - Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities - a
The life of Aeschines by Philostratus.
in juxtaposition or opposition to the spotless glory 4. The life of Aeschines by Libanius. 5. Apollo
of Demosthenes, and this must have made him ap- nius' Exegesis. The last two works are printed
pear more guilty in the eyes of those who saw
in Reiske's edition, p. 10, foll. The best modern
through his actions, while in later times the con- essay on Aeschines is that by Passow in Ersch and
trast between the greatest orators of the time was Gruber's Encyclopädie, ii. p. 73, &c. There is
frequently made the theme of rhetorical declama- also a work by E. Stechow, De Aeschinis Oratoris
tion, in which one of the two was praised or Vita, Berlin, 1841, 4to. , which is an attempt to
blamed at the cost of the other, and less with re-clear the character of Aeschines from all the re-
gard to truth than to effect. Respecting the last proaches that have been attached to it; but the
period of his life we scarcely possess any other essay is written in exceedingly bad Latin, and the
source of information than the accounts of late attempt is a most complete failure.
sophists and declamations. Another point to The first edition of the orations of Aeschines is
be considered in forming a just estimate of the that of Aldus Manutius in his Collectio Rhetorum
character of Aeschines is, that he had no advan-Graecorun, Venice, 1513, fol. An edition with a
tages of education, and that he owed his greatness Latin translation, which also contains the letters
to none but himself. His occupations during the ascribed to Aeschines, is that of H. Wolf, Basel.
early part of his life were such as necessarily en- 1572, fol. The next important edition is that by
gendered in him the low desire of gain and wealth ; | Taylor, which contains the notes of Wolf, Taylor,
and had he overcome these passions, he would and Markland, and appeared at Cambridge in
have been equal to Demosthenes. There is, how- | 1748-56 in his collection of the Attic orators. In
ever, not the slightest ground for believing, that Reiske's edition of the Attic orators Aeschines
Aeschines recommended peace with Macedonia at occupies the third volume, Lips. 1771, 8vo. The
first from any other motive than the desire of pro- best editions are those of I. Bekker, vol. iii. of his
moting the good of his country. Demosthenes Orutores Attici, Oxford, 1822, 8vo. , for which
himself acted in the same spirit at that time, for thirteen new MSS. were collated, and of F. H.
the craftiness of Philip deceived both of them. Bremi, Zurich, 1823, 2 vols. 8vo. The oration
But while Demosthenes altered his policy on dis- against Demosthenes has been translated into
covering the secret intentions of the king, Aeschines English by Portal and Leland. (L. S. ]
continued to advocate the principles of peace. But A EʻSCHINES (Aloximns), an Athenian pbilo
there is nothing to justify the belief that Aeschines sopher and rhetorician, son of a sausage seller, or,
intended to ruin his country, and it is much more according to other accounts, of Lysanias (Diog.
probable that the crafty king made such an im- Laert. ii. 60; Suidas, s. v. 'Aloxívns), and a disciple,
pression upon him, that be firmly believed he although by some of his contemporaries held an
was doing right, and was thus unconsciously led unworthy one, of Socrates. From the account of
on to become a traitor to his country. But no an- Laertius, he appears to have been the familiar friend
cient writer except Demosthenes charges him with of his great master, who said that “the sausage-
having received bribes from the Macedonians for seller's son only knew how to honour him. ” The
the purpose of betraying his country. He appears same writer has preserved a tradition that it was
to have been carried away by the favour of the Aeschines, and not Crito, who offered to assist
king and the people, who delighted in hearing Socrates in his escape from prison.
from him what they themselves wished, and, The greater part of his life was spent in abject
perhaps also, by the opposition of Demosthenes poverty, which gave rise to the advice of Socrates
himself.
to him, “to borrow money of himself, by diminish-
Aeschines spoke on various occasions, but he ing his daily wants. ” After the death of his mas
published only three of his orations, namely, against ter, according to the charge of Lysias apud Athen.
Timarchus, on the Embassy, and against Ctesiphon. xiii. p. 611, e. f. ), he kept a perfumer's shop with
As an orator, he was inferior to none but Demos borrowed money, and presently becoming bank-
thenes. He was endowed by nature with extra- rupt, was obliged to leave Athens. Whether from
ordinary oratorical powers, of which his orations necessity or inclination, he followed the fashion of
afford abundant proofs. The facility and felicity the day, and retired to the Syracusan court, where
of his diction, the boldness and the vigour of his the friendship of Aristippus might console him for
descriptions, carry away the reader now, as they the contempt of Plato. He remained there until
must bave carried away his audience. The an. the expulsion of the younger Dionysius, and on
cients, as Photius (Cod. 61) remarks, designated his return, finding it useless to attempt a rivalry
these three orations as the Graces, and the pine with his great contemporaries, he gave private lec-
letters which were extant in the time of Photius, | tures. One of the charges which bis opponents
## p. 40 (#60) ##############################################
49
AESCHYLUS.
AESCHRION.
deliglted to repeat, and which by association of I was an epic poct of the same name, who was a
ideas constituted him a sophist in the eyes of Plato native of Mitylene and a pupil of Aristotle, and
and his followers, was that of receiving money for who is mid to have accompanied Alexander on
his instructions. Another story was invented that some of his expeditions. He is mentioned by
these dialogues were really the work of Socrates ; Suidas (s. v. ) and Tzetzes (Chil. viii. 406). As
and Aristippus, either from joke or malice, publicly he was also a writer of iambics and choliambics,
charged Aeschines with the theft while he was many scholars have supposed him to be identical
reading them at Megara. Plato is related by with the Samian Aeschrion, and to have been
Jlegesander (apud Athen. xi. p. 507, c. ) to have called a Mitylenaean in consequence of having re-
stolen from him bis solitary pupil Xenocrates. sided for some time in that city. (Schneidewin,
The three dialogues, nepl åpetais, ei didaktóv, Delectus Poctarum iambic. et melicorum Gracc. ;
'Ερυξίας ή περί πλούτου, 'Αξίοχος ή περί Θανάτου, Jacobs, Anth. Graec. xiii. 834. ) (C. P. M. )
which have come down to us under the name of AE'SCHRION, a Greek writer on agriculture,
Aeschines are not genuine remains: it is even of whom nothing more is known. (Varr. de Re
doubted whether they are the same works which Rust. i. 1. )
the ancients acknowledged as spurious. They A E’SCHRION ('Acoxplwm), a native of Per-
have been edited by Fischer, the third edition of gamus, and a physician in the second century after
which (8vo. Lips. 1786) contains the criticisms of Christ. He was one of Galen's tutors, who says
Wolf, and forms part of a volume of spurious Pla- that he belonged to the sect of the Empirici, and
tonic dialogues (Simonis Socratici ut ruletur dialogi that he had a great knowledge of Pharmacy and
quatuor) by Böckh, Heidel. 1810.
Materia Medica. Aeschrion was the inventor of a
The genuine dialogues, from the slight mention celebrated superstitious remedy for the bite of a
made of them by Demetrius Phalereus, seem to mad dog, which is mentioned with approbation by
bave been full of Socratic irony. Hermogenes, Galen and Oribasius (Synops. iii. p. 55), and of
Tepl 'ldewv, considers Aeschines as superior to which the most important ingredient was powdered
Xenophon in elegance and purity of style. A long crawfish. These he directs to be caught at a time
and amusing passage is quoted by Cicero from him. when the sun and moon were in a particular relative
(De Incent. 1. 31; Diogenes Laertius, ii. 60-64, and position, and to be baked alive. (Gal. De Simpl.
the authorities collected by Fischer. ) (B. J. ) Medic. Facult. xi. 34, vol. xii. p. 356 ; C. G. Kühn.
AE'SCHINES (Aloximns), of MILETUS, a con- Additam. ad Elench. Med. Vet. a J. A. Fabric.
temporary of Cicero, and a distinguished orator in in “Bibl. Gr. " exhibnt. )
(W. A. G. )
the Asiatic style of eloquence. He is said by Dio- AESCHY'LIDES (Aio xurídns), wrote a work
genes Laertius to have written on Politics. He on agriculture, entitled rewpyika, which was at
died in exile on account of having spoken too freely least in three books. (Athen. xiv. p. 650, d;
to Pompey. (Cic. Brut. 95; Diog. Laert. ii. 64; Aelian, de Anim. xvi. 32. )
Strab. xiv. p. 635; Sen. Controv. i. 8. )
A E’SCHYLUS (Aloxúaos) was born at Eleusis
AE'SCHINES (Aloxívais), of NEAPOLIS, a Peri- in Attica in B. C. 525, so that he was thirty-five
patetic philosopher, who was at the head of the years of age at the time of the battle of Marathon,
Academy at Athens, together with Charmades and and contemporary with Simonides and Pindar.
Clitomachus about B. c. 109. (Cic. de Orat. i. 11. ) | His father Euphorion was probably connected with
Diogenes Laertius (ii. 64) says, that he was a the worship of Demeter, from which Aeschylus
pupil of Melanthus the Rhodian.
may naturally be supposed to have received his
AE'SCHINES (Aloxívns), an ancient physi- first religious impressions. He was himself, ac-
cian, who lived in the latter half of the fourth cording to some authorities, initiated in the mye
century after Christ. He was born in the island teries, with reference to which, and to his birth.
of Chios, and settled at Athens, where he appears place Eleusis, Aristophanes (Ran. 884) makes him
to have practised with very little success, but ac- pray to the Elensinian goddess. Pausanias (i. 21.
quired great fame by a happy cure of Eunapius $ 2) relates an anecdote of him, which, if true,
Sardianus, who on his voyage to Athens (as he tells shews that he was struck in very early youth with
us himself, in vita Proaeres. p. 76, ed. Boisson) the exhibitions of the drama According to this
had been seized with a fever of a very violent story,“ W'hen he was a boy be was set to watch
kind, which yielded only to treatment of a peculiar grapes in the country, and there fell asleep. In
An Athenian physician of this name is his slumbers Dionysus appeared to him, and
quoted by Pliny (H. N. xxviii. 10), of whom it is ordered him to apply himself to tragedy. At day.
only known, tbat he must have lived some time break he made the attempt, and succeeded very
before the middle of the first century after easily. " Such a dream as this could hardly have
Christ.
(W. A. G. ) resulted from anything but the impression pro-
AEʻSCHRION, of Syracuse, whose wife Pippa duced by tragic exhibitions upon a warm imagina-
was one of the mistresses of Vertes, is frequently tion. At the age of 25 (B. C 499), he made his
mentioned by Cicero in the Verrine Orations. (ii
.
first appearance as a competitor for the prize of
14, v. 12, 31. ) He assisted Verres in roh bing the tragedy, against Choerilus and Pratinas, without
Syracusans (ii. 21), and obtained the farining of however being successful. Sixteen years after-
the tithes of the Herbitenses for the purpose of ward (2. C. 484), Aeschylus gained his first victory.
plundering them. (iii. 33. )
The titles of the pieces which be then brought out
A EʻSCHRION (Aioxplwv), an iambic poet, a are not known, but his competitors were most
native of Samos. He is mentioned by Athenaeus probably Pratinas and Phrynichus or Choerilus.
(vii. p. 296, f. viji. p. 335,c. ), who has preserved some Eight years afterwards he gained the prize with
choliambic verses of his, in which he defends the the trilogy of which the Persae, the earliest of his
Samian Philaenis against Polycrates, the Athenian extant dramas, was one piece. The whole number
rhetorician and sophist. Some of his verses are of victories attributed to Aeschylus amounted to
also quoted by Tzetzes (ad Lycoplır. 638). There | thirteen, most of which were gained by him in the
a
nature.
## p. 41 (#61) ##############################################
AESCHYLUS.
41
AESCHYLUS.
10 was a
tle, and
ander on
Oned by
5). As
ambios,
dentical
ve been
eide sin,
Grachi;
M. ]
culture,
1. de Re
of Per.
Or after
cho gayi
ici, and
macy and
ator of a
ite of
ation br
and of
ondered
is time
relatire
Sitzpl
.
E. Kühne
Fabric
. G. )
work
650, d;
interval of sixteen years, between B. C. 484, the therefore that the former trilogy must have been
year of his first tragic victory, and the close of the first represented not later than B. C. 470. (W'clcker,
Persian war by Cimon's double victory at the Trilogic, p. 520 ; Schol. ad Aristoph. Run. 1053. )
Eurymedon, B. C. 470. (Bode, Gesch. der Hellen. Aristeides, who died in B. C. 468, was living at
Dichtkunst, iii. p. 212. ) The year B. C. 468 was the time. (Plut. Arist. 3. ) Besides “ The Women
the date of a remarkable event in the poet's life. of Aetna, "Aeschylus also composed other pieces in
In that year he was defeated in a tragic contest by Sicily, in which are said to have occurred Sicilian
his younger rival Sophocles, and if we may be words and expressions not intelligible to the Athe-
licve Plutarch (Cim. 8), his mortification at this nians. (Athen. ix. p. 402, b. ) From the number of
indignity, as he conceived it, was so great, that he such words and expressions, wbich have been
quitted Athens in disgust the very same year, and noticed in the later extant plays of Aeschylus, it
went to the court of Hiero (Paus. i. 2. § 3), king bas been inferred that he spent a considerable time
of Syracuse, where he found Simonides the lyric in Sicily, on this his first visit. We must not
poet, who as well as himself was by that prince however omit to mention, that, according to some
most hospitably received. Of the fact of his hav- accounts, Aeschylus also visited Sicily about B. C.
ing risited Sicily at the time alluded to, there can 488, previous to what we have considered his first
be no doubt; but whether the motive alleged by risit. (Bode, Id. iii. p. 215. ) The occasion of this
Plutarch for his doing so was the only one, or a retirement is said to have been the victory gained
real one, is a question of considerable difficulty, over him by Simonides, to whom the Athenians
though of little practical moment. It may be, as adjudged the prize for the best elegy on those who
bas been plausibly maintained by some authors, fell at Marathon. This tradition, however, is not
that Aeschylus, whose family and personal honours supported by strong independent testimony, and
were connected with the glories of Marathon, and accordingly its truth has been much questioned.
the heroes of the Persian war, did not sympathise Suidas indeed states that Aeschylus had visited
with the spirit of aggrandisement by which the Sicily even before this, when he was only twenty-
councils of his country were then actuated, nor five years of age (B. C. 499), immediately after his
approve of its policy in the struggle for the first contest with Pratinas, on which occasion the
supremacy over Greece.
The contemporaries of crowd of spectators was so great as to cause the
his earlier years, Miltiades, Aristeides, and the fall of the wooden planks (ixpa) or temporary
mistocles, whose achievements in the service of scaffolding, on which they were accommodated
their country were identified with those of himself with seats.
and his family, had been succeeded by Cimon : and In B. C. 467, his friend and patron king Hiero
the aristocratical principles which Aeschylus sup- died; and in B. C. 458, it appears that Aeschylus
1
ported were gradually being supplanted and over- was again at Athens from the fact that the trilogy
bome by the advance of democracy. From all of the Oresteia was produced in that year. The
this, Aeschylus might bave felt that he was conjecture of Böckh, that this might have been a
outliving his principles, and have felt it the more second representation in the absence of the poet,
keenly, from Cimon, the hero of the day, having is not supported by any probable reasons, for we
been one of the judges who awarded the tragic have no intimation that the Oresteia ever had been
prize to Sophocles in preference to himself. (Plut. acted before. (Hermann, Opusc. ii. p. 137. ) In the
1. c. ) On this supposition, Athens could not have same or the following year (B. C. 457), Aeschylus
been an agreeable residence to a person like again visited Sicily for the last time, and the
Aeschylus, and therefore he might have been dis reason assigned for this his second or as others
posed to leave it; but still it is more than probable conceive his fourth visit to this island, is both pro-
ihat his defeat by Sophocles materially influenced bable and sufficient. The fact is, that in his play
bis determinations, and was at any rate the proxi- of the Eumenides, the third and last of the three
mate cause of his removing to Sicily. It has been plays which made up the Orestean trilogy, Aes-
further conjectured that the charge of dobbela or chylus proved himself a decided supporter of the
impiety which was brought against Aeschylus for ancient dignities and power of that “ watchful
an alleged publication of the mysteries of Ceres guardian” of Athens, the aristocratical court of the
(Aristo Eth. iii. 1), but possibly from political Areiopagus, in opposition to Pericles and his de
diotives, was in some measure connected with his mocratical coadjutors. With this trilogy Aeschylus
retirement from his native country. If this were was indeed successful as a poet, but not as a poli-
really the case, it follows, that the play or plays tician: it did not produce the effects be had wished
which
gave
the supposed offence to the Athenians, and intended, and he found that he had striven
must have been published before B. C. 468, and in vain against the opinions and views of a gene-
therefore that the trilogy of the Oresteia could ration to which he did not belong. Accordingly it
have had no connexion with it. Shortly before has been conjectured that either from disappoint-
the arrival of Aeschylus at the court of Hiero, that ment or fear of the consequences, or perhaps from
prince had built the town of Aetna, at the bottom both these causes, he again quitted Athens, and
of the mountain of that name, and on the site of retired once more to Sicily. But another reason,
the ancient Catana : in connexion with this event, which if founded on truth, perhaps operated in
Aeschylus is said to have composed his play of the conjunction with the former, has been assigned for
Women of Aetna (B. C. 471, or 472), in which he his last sojourn in Sicily. This rests on a state-
predicted and prayed for the prosperity of the ment made more or less distinctly by various
new city. At the request of Hiero, he also repro-authors, to the effect that Aeschylus was accused
duced the play of the Persae, with the trilogy of of impiety before the court of the Areiopagus, and
which he had been victorious in the dramatic con- that he would have been condemned but for the
tests at Athens. (B. C. 472. ) Now we know that interposition of his brother Ameinias, who had
the trilogy of the Seven against Thebes was re distinguished himself at the battle of Salamis.
presented soon after the “ Persians : " it follows (Aelinn, V. H. v. 19. ) According to some authors
Eleusis
irty-five
aration,
Pindar.
ted with
eschylos
ired bis
seli
,
be myt
is birth
kes him
(1. 21
.
if true
ith with
o watch
ep In
m), and
At daro
led very
diy bare
ion pro-
irragitia-
made Lis
prize and
sitbest
1% afies
: victory
rugte cat
ere most
Choerlos
rize with
lest of hs
le numa
ounted to
## p. 42 (#62) ##############################################
42
AESCHYLUS.
AESCHYLUS.
1
His younger
this accusation was preferred against him, for | Tyr. ) From and by means of these persons arose
having m some of his plays either divulged or what was called the Tragic School of Aeschylus,
profanely spoken of the mysteries of Ceres. Ac which continued for the space of 125 years.
cording to others, the charge originated from his We have hitherto spoken of Aeschylus as a poet
having introduced on the stage the dread god only; but it must not be forgotten that he was also
desses, the Eumenides, which he had done in such highly renowned as a warrior. His first achieve
a way as not only to do violence to popular pre- ments as a soldier were in the battle of Marathon,
judice, but also to excite the greatest alarm among in which his brother Cynaegeirus and himself so
the spectators. Now, the Eumenides contains no- highly distinguished themselves, that their exploits
thing which can be considered as a publication of were commemorated with a descriptive painting in
the mysteries of Ceres, and therefore we are in the theatre of Athens, which was thought to be
clined to think that his political enemies availed much older than the statue there erected in honour
themselves of the unpopularity he had incurred by of Aeschylus. (Paus i. 21. ♡ 2. ) The epitaph
his “ Chorus of Furies,” to get up against him a which he wrote on himself, proves that he con-
charge of impiety, which they supported not only sidered his share in that battle as the most glo
by what was objectionable in the Eumenides, but rious achievement of his life, though he was
also in other plays not now extant. At any rate, also engaged at Artemisium, Salamis, and Pla-
from the number of authorities all confirming this taea. (Paus. i. 14. Ø 4. ) All his family, indeed,
conclusion, there can be no doubt that towards the were distinguished for bravery.
end of his life Aeschylus incurred the serious dis brother Ameinias (Herod. viii. 84 ; Diod. xi. 25)
pleasure of a strong party at Athens, and that was noted as having commenced the attack on
after the exhibition of the Orestean trilogy he the Persian ships at Salamis, and at Marathon no
retired to Gela in Sicily, where he died B. c. 456, one was so perseveringly brave as Cynaegeirus.
in the 69th year of his age, and three years after (Herod. vi. 114. ) Hence we may not unreason-
the representation of the Eumenides. On the ably suppose, that the gratitude of the Athenians
manner of his death the ancient writers are unani- for such services contributed somewhat to a due
mous. (Suidas, s. v. Xenwrnuvv. ) An eagle, say appreciation of the poet's merits, and to the tragic
they, mistaking the poet's bald head for a stone, victory which he gained soon after the battle of
let a tortoise fall upon it to break the shell, and Marathon (B. C. 484) and before that of Salamis.
so fulfilled an oracle, according to which Aeschylus Nor can we wonder at the peculiar vividness and
was fated to die by a blow from heaven. The spirit with wbich he portrays the “ pomp and cir-
inhabitants of Gela shewed their regard for cumstance" of war, as in the Persae, and the
his character, by public solemnities in his honour, Seven against Thebes," describing its incidents
by erecting a noble monument to him, and inscrib and actions as one who had really been an actor
ing it with an epitaph written by himself. (Paus. in scenes such as he paints.
i. 14. § 4; Athen. xiv. 627. d. Vit. Anon. ) In it The style of Aeschylus is bold, energetic, and
Gela is mentioned as the place of his burial, and sublime, full of gorgeous imagery, and magnificent
the field of Marathon as the place of his most expressions such as became the elevated characters
glorious achievements; but no mention is made of of his dramas, and the ideas he wished to express.
his poetry, the only subject of commemoration in (Aristoph. Ran. 934. ) This sublimity of diction
the later epigrams written in his honour. At was however sometimes carried to an extreme,
Athens also his name and memory were holden in which made his language turgid and inflated, so
especial reverence, and the prophecy in which he that as Quintilian (x. 1) says of him," he is
(Athen. viii. 347, e. f. ) is said to have predicted his grandiloquent to a fault" in the turn of his er.
own posthumous fame, when he was first defeated pressions, the poetical predominates over the syd-
by Sophocles, was amply fulfilled. His pieces tactical. He was peculiarly fond of metaphorical
were frequently reproduced on the stage ; and by phrases and strange compounds, and obsolete lan-
a special decree of the people, a chorus was proguage, so that he was much more epic in bis
vided at the expense of the state for any one who language than either Sophocles or Euripides, and
might wish to exhibit his tragedies a second time. excelled in displaying strong feelings and impulses,
(Aristoph. Achar. 102; Aeschyl. vita. ) Hence and describing the awful and the terrible, rather
Aristophanes (Ran. 892) makes Aeschylus say of than in exhibiting the workings of the human
himself, that his poetry did not die with him; and mind under the influence of complicated and various
even after his death, he may be said to have motives. But notwithstanding the general eleva-
gained many victories over his successors in Attic tion of his style, the subordinate characters in his
tragedy. (Hermann, Opusc.
in juxtaposition or opposition to the spotless glory 4. The life of Aeschines by Libanius. 5. Apollo
of Demosthenes, and this must have made him ap- nius' Exegesis. The last two works are printed
pear more guilty in the eyes of those who saw
in Reiske's edition, p. 10, foll. The best modern
through his actions, while in later times the con- essay on Aeschines is that by Passow in Ersch and
trast between the greatest orators of the time was Gruber's Encyclopädie, ii. p. 73, &c. There is
frequently made the theme of rhetorical declama- also a work by E. Stechow, De Aeschinis Oratoris
tion, in which one of the two was praised or Vita, Berlin, 1841, 4to. , which is an attempt to
blamed at the cost of the other, and less with re-clear the character of Aeschines from all the re-
gard to truth than to effect. Respecting the last proaches that have been attached to it; but the
period of his life we scarcely possess any other essay is written in exceedingly bad Latin, and the
source of information than the accounts of late attempt is a most complete failure.
sophists and declamations. Another point to The first edition of the orations of Aeschines is
be considered in forming a just estimate of the that of Aldus Manutius in his Collectio Rhetorum
character of Aeschines is, that he had no advan-Graecorun, Venice, 1513, fol. An edition with a
tages of education, and that he owed his greatness Latin translation, which also contains the letters
to none but himself. His occupations during the ascribed to Aeschines, is that of H. Wolf, Basel.
early part of his life were such as necessarily en- 1572, fol. The next important edition is that by
gendered in him the low desire of gain and wealth ; | Taylor, which contains the notes of Wolf, Taylor,
and had he overcome these passions, he would and Markland, and appeared at Cambridge in
have been equal to Demosthenes. There is, how- | 1748-56 in his collection of the Attic orators. In
ever, not the slightest ground for believing, that Reiske's edition of the Attic orators Aeschines
Aeschines recommended peace with Macedonia at occupies the third volume, Lips. 1771, 8vo. The
first from any other motive than the desire of pro- best editions are those of I. Bekker, vol. iii. of his
moting the good of his country. Demosthenes Orutores Attici, Oxford, 1822, 8vo. , for which
himself acted in the same spirit at that time, for thirteen new MSS. were collated, and of F. H.
the craftiness of Philip deceived both of them. Bremi, Zurich, 1823, 2 vols. 8vo. The oration
But while Demosthenes altered his policy on dis- against Demosthenes has been translated into
covering the secret intentions of the king, Aeschines English by Portal and Leland. (L. S. ]
continued to advocate the principles of peace. But A EʻSCHINES (Aloximns), an Athenian pbilo
there is nothing to justify the belief that Aeschines sopher and rhetorician, son of a sausage seller, or,
intended to ruin his country, and it is much more according to other accounts, of Lysanias (Diog.
probable that the crafty king made such an im- Laert. ii. 60; Suidas, s. v. 'Aloxívns), and a disciple,
pression upon him, that be firmly believed he although by some of his contemporaries held an
was doing right, and was thus unconsciously led unworthy one, of Socrates. From the account of
on to become a traitor to his country. But no an- Laertius, he appears to have been the familiar friend
cient writer except Demosthenes charges him with of his great master, who said that “the sausage-
having received bribes from the Macedonians for seller's son only knew how to honour him. ” The
the purpose of betraying his country. He appears same writer has preserved a tradition that it was
to have been carried away by the favour of the Aeschines, and not Crito, who offered to assist
king and the people, who delighted in hearing Socrates in his escape from prison.
from him what they themselves wished, and, The greater part of his life was spent in abject
perhaps also, by the opposition of Demosthenes poverty, which gave rise to the advice of Socrates
himself.
to him, “to borrow money of himself, by diminish-
Aeschines spoke on various occasions, but he ing his daily wants. ” After the death of his mas
published only three of his orations, namely, against ter, according to the charge of Lysias apud Athen.
Timarchus, on the Embassy, and against Ctesiphon. xiii. p. 611, e. f. ), he kept a perfumer's shop with
As an orator, he was inferior to none but Demos borrowed money, and presently becoming bank-
thenes. He was endowed by nature with extra- rupt, was obliged to leave Athens. Whether from
ordinary oratorical powers, of which his orations necessity or inclination, he followed the fashion of
afford abundant proofs. The facility and felicity the day, and retired to the Syracusan court, where
of his diction, the boldness and the vigour of his the friendship of Aristippus might console him for
descriptions, carry away the reader now, as they the contempt of Plato. He remained there until
must bave carried away his audience. The an. the expulsion of the younger Dionysius, and on
cients, as Photius (Cod. 61) remarks, designated his return, finding it useless to attempt a rivalry
these three orations as the Graces, and the pine with his great contemporaries, he gave private lec-
letters which were extant in the time of Photius, | tures. One of the charges which bis opponents
## p. 40 (#60) ##############################################
49
AESCHYLUS.
AESCHRION.
deliglted to repeat, and which by association of I was an epic poct of the same name, who was a
ideas constituted him a sophist in the eyes of Plato native of Mitylene and a pupil of Aristotle, and
and his followers, was that of receiving money for who is mid to have accompanied Alexander on
his instructions. Another story was invented that some of his expeditions. He is mentioned by
these dialogues were really the work of Socrates ; Suidas (s. v. ) and Tzetzes (Chil. viii. 406). As
and Aristippus, either from joke or malice, publicly he was also a writer of iambics and choliambics,
charged Aeschines with the theft while he was many scholars have supposed him to be identical
reading them at Megara. Plato is related by with the Samian Aeschrion, and to have been
Jlegesander (apud Athen. xi. p. 507, c. ) to have called a Mitylenaean in consequence of having re-
stolen from him bis solitary pupil Xenocrates. sided for some time in that city. (Schneidewin,
The three dialogues, nepl åpetais, ei didaktóv, Delectus Poctarum iambic. et melicorum Gracc. ;
'Ερυξίας ή περί πλούτου, 'Αξίοχος ή περί Θανάτου, Jacobs, Anth. Graec. xiii. 834. ) (C. P. M. )
which have come down to us under the name of AE'SCHRION, a Greek writer on agriculture,
Aeschines are not genuine remains: it is even of whom nothing more is known. (Varr. de Re
doubted whether they are the same works which Rust. i. 1. )
the ancients acknowledged as spurious. They A E’SCHRION ('Acoxplwm), a native of Per-
have been edited by Fischer, the third edition of gamus, and a physician in the second century after
which (8vo. Lips. 1786) contains the criticisms of Christ. He was one of Galen's tutors, who says
Wolf, and forms part of a volume of spurious Pla- that he belonged to the sect of the Empirici, and
tonic dialogues (Simonis Socratici ut ruletur dialogi that he had a great knowledge of Pharmacy and
quatuor) by Böckh, Heidel. 1810.
Materia Medica. Aeschrion was the inventor of a
The genuine dialogues, from the slight mention celebrated superstitious remedy for the bite of a
made of them by Demetrius Phalereus, seem to mad dog, which is mentioned with approbation by
bave been full of Socratic irony. Hermogenes, Galen and Oribasius (Synops. iii. p. 55), and of
Tepl 'ldewv, considers Aeschines as superior to which the most important ingredient was powdered
Xenophon in elegance and purity of style. A long crawfish. These he directs to be caught at a time
and amusing passage is quoted by Cicero from him. when the sun and moon were in a particular relative
(De Incent. 1. 31; Diogenes Laertius, ii. 60-64, and position, and to be baked alive. (Gal. De Simpl.
the authorities collected by Fischer. ) (B. J. ) Medic. Facult. xi. 34, vol. xii. p. 356 ; C. G. Kühn.
AE'SCHINES (Aloximns), of MILETUS, a con- Additam. ad Elench. Med. Vet. a J. A. Fabric.
temporary of Cicero, and a distinguished orator in in “Bibl. Gr. " exhibnt. )
(W. A. G. )
the Asiatic style of eloquence. He is said by Dio- AESCHY'LIDES (Aio xurídns), wrote a work
genes Laertius to have written on Politics. He on agriculture, entitled rewpyika, which was at
died in exile on account of having spoken too freely least in three books. (Athen. xiv. p. 650, d;
to Pompey. (Cic. Brut. 95; Diog. Laert. ii. 64; Aelian, de Anim. xvi. 32. )
Strab. xiv. p. 635; Sen. Controv. i. 8. )
A E’SCHYLUS (Aloxúaos) was born at Eleusis
AE'SCHINES (Aloxívais), of NEAPOLIS, a Peri- in Attica in B. C. 525, so that he was thirty-five
patetic philosopher, who was at the head of the years of age at the time of the battle of Marathon,
Academy at Athens, together with Charmades and and contemporary with Simonides and Pindar.
Clitomachus about B. c. 109. (Cic. de Orat. i. 11. ) | His father Euphorion was probably connected with
Diogenes Laertius (ii. 64) says, that he was a the worship of Demeter, from which Aeschylus
pupil of Melanthus the Rhodian.
may naturally be supposed to have received his
AE'SCHINES (Aloxívns), an ancient physi- first religious impressions. He was himself, ac-
cian, who lived in the latter half of the fourth cording to some authorities, initiated in the mye
century after Christ. He was born in the island teries, with reference to which, and to his birth.
of Chios, and settled at Athens, where he appears place Eleusis, Aristophanes (Ran. 884) makes him
to have practised with very little success, but ac- pray to the Elensinian goddess. Pausanias (i. 21.
quired great fame by a happy cure of Eunapius $ 2) relates an anecdote of him, which, if true,
Sardianus, who on his voyage to Athens (as he tells shews that he was struck in very early youth with
us himself, in vita Proaeres. p. 76, ed. Boisson) the exhibitions of the drama According to this
had been seized with a fever of a very violent story,“ W'hen he was a boy be was set to watch
kind, which yielded only to treatment of a peculiar grapes in the country, and there fell asleep. In
An Athenian physician of this name is his slumbers Dionysus appeared to him, and
quoted by Pliny (H. N. xxviii. 10), of whom it is ordered him to apply himself to tragedy. At day.
only known, tbat he must have lived some time break he made the attempt, and succeeded very
before the middle of the first century after easily. " Such a dream as this could hardly have
Christ.
(W. A. G. ) resulted from anything but the impression pro-
AEʻSCHRION, of Syracuse, whose wife Pippa duced by tragic exhibitions upon a warm imagina-
was one of the mistresses of Vertes, is frequently tion. At the age of 25 (B. C 499), he made his
mentioned by Cicero in the Verrine Orations. (ii
.
first appearance as a competitor for the prize of
14, v. 12, 31. ) He assisted Verres in roh bing the tragedy, against Choerilus and Pratinas, without
Syracusans (ii. 21), and obtained the farining of however being successful. Sixteen years after-
the tithes of the Herbitenses for the purpose of ward (2. C. 484), Aeschylus gained his first victory.
plundering them. (iii. 33. )
The titles of the pieces which be then brought out
A EʻSCHRION (Aioxplwv), an iambic poet, a are not known, but his competitors were most
native of Samos. He is mentioned by Athenaeus probably Pratinas and Phrynichus or Choerilus.
(vii. p. 296, f. viji. p. 335,c. ), who has preserved some Eight years afterwards he gained the prize with
choliambic verses of his, in which he defends the the trilogy of which the Persae, the earliest of his
Samian Philaenis against Polycrates, the Athenian extant dramas, was one piece. The whole number
rhetorician and sophist. Some of his verses are of victories attributed to Aeschylus amounted to
also quoted by Tzetzes (ad Lycoplır. 638). There | thirteen, most of which were gained by him in the
a
nature.
## p. 41 (#61) ##############################################
AESCHYLUS.
41
AESCHYLUS.
10 was a
tle, and
ander on
Oned by
5). As
ambios,
dentical
ve been
eide sin,
Grachi;
M. ]
culture,
1. de Re
of Per.
Or after
cho gayi
ici, and
macy and
ator of a
ite of
ation br
and of
ondered
is time
relatire
Sitzpl
.
E. Kühne
Fabric
. G. )
work
650, d;
interval of sixteen years, between B. C. 484, the therefore that the former trilogy must have been
year of his first tragic victory, and the close of the first represented not later than B. C. 470. (W'clcker,
Persian war by Cimon's double victory at the Trilogic, p. 520 ; Schol. ad Aristoph. Run. 1053. )
Eurymedon, B. C. 470. (Bode, Gesch. der Hellen. Aristeides, who died in B. C. 468, was living at
Dichtkunst, iii. p. 212. ) The year B. C. 468 was the time. (Plut. Arist. 3. ) Besides “ The Women
the date of a remarkable event in the poet's life. of Aetna, "Aeschylus also composed other pieces in
In that year he was defeated in a tragic contest by Sicily, in which are said to have occurred Sicilian
his younger rival Sophocles, and if we may be words and expressions not intelligible to the Athe-
licve Plutarch (Cim. 8), his mortification at this nians. (Athen. ix. p. 402, b. ) From the number of
indignity, as he conceived it, was so great, that he such words and expressions, wbich have been
quitted Athens in disgust the very same year, and noticed in the later extant plays of Aeschylus, it
went to the court of Hiero (Paus. i. 2. § 3), king bas been inferred that he spent a considerable time
of Syracuse, where he found Simonides the lyric in Sicily, on this his first visit. We must not
poet, who as well as himself was by that prince however omit to mention, that, according to some
most hospitably received. Of the fact of his hav- accounts, Aeschylus also visited Sicily about B. C.
ing risited Sicily at the time alluded to, there can 488, previous to what we have considered his first
be no doubt; but whether the motive alleged by risit. (Bode, Id. iii. p. 215. ) The occasion of this
Plutarch for his doing so was the only one, or a retirement is said to have been the victory gained
real one, is a question of considerable difficulty, over him by Simonides, to whom the Athenians
though of little practical moment. It may be, as adjudged the prize for the best elegy on those who
bas been plausibly maintained by some authors, fell at Marathon. This tradition, however, is not
that Aeschylus, whose family and personal honours supported by strong independent testimony, and
were connected with the glories of Marathon, and accordingly its truth has been much questioned.
the heroes of the Persian war, did not sympathise Suidas indeed states that Aeschylus had visited
with the spirit of aggrandisement by which the Sicily even before this, when he was only twenty-
councils of his country were then actuated, nor five years of age (B. C. 499), immediately after his
approve of its policy in the struggle for the first contest with Pratinas, on which occasion the
supremacy over Greece.
The contemporaries of crowd of spectators was so great as to cause the
his earlier years, Miltiades, Aristeides, and the fall of the wooden planks (ixpa) or temporary
mistocles, whose achievements in the service of scaffolding, on which they were accommodated
their country were identified with those of himself with seats.
and his family, had been succeeded by Cimon : and In B. C. 467, his friend and patron king Hiero
the aristocratical principles which Aeschylus sup- died; and in B. C. 458, it appears that Aeschylus
1
ported were gradually being supplanted and over- was again at Athens from the fact that the trilogy
bome by the advance of democracy. From all of the Oresteia was produced in that year. The
this, Aeschylus might bave felt that he was conjecture of Böckh, that this might have been a
outliving his principles, and have felt it the more second representation in the absence of the poet,
keenly, from Cimon, the hero of the day, having is not supported by any probable reasons, for we
been one of the judges who awarded the tragic have no intimation that the Oresteia ever had been
prize to Sophocles in preference to himself. (Plut. acted before. (Hermann, Opusc. ii. p. 137. ) In the
1. c. ) On this supposition, Athens could not have same or the following year (B. C. 457), Aeschylus
been an agreeable residence to a person like again visited Sicily for the last time, and the
Aeschylus, and therefore he might have been dis reason assigned for this his second or as others
posed to leave it; but still it is more than probable conceive his fourth visit to this island, is both pro-
ihat his defeat by Sophocles materially influenced bable and sufficient. The fact is, that in his play
bis determinations, and was at any rate the proxi- of the Eumenides, the third and last of the three
mate cause of his removing to Sicily. It has been plays which made up the Orestean trilogy, Aes-
further conjectured that the charge of dobbela or chylus proved himself a decided supporter of the
impiety which was brought against Aeschylus for ancient dignities and power of that “ watchful
an alleged publication of the mysteries of Ceres guardian” of Athens, the aristocratical court of the
(Aristo Eth. iii. 1), but possibly from political Areiopagus, in opposition to Pericles and his de
diotives, was in some measure connected with his mocratical coadjutors. With this trilogy Aeschylus
retirement from his native country. If this were was indeed successful as a poet, but not as a poli-
really the case, it follows, that the play or plays tician: it did not produce the effects be had wished
which
gave
the supposed offence to the Athenians, and intended, and he found that he had striven
must have been published before B. C. 468, and in vain against the opinions and views of a gene-
therefore that the trilogy of the Oresteia could ration to which he did not belong. Accordingly it
have had no connexion with it. Shortly before has been conjectured that either from disappoint-
the arrival of Aeschylus at the court of Hiero, that ment or fear of the consequences, or perhaps from
prince had built the town of Aetna, at the bottom both these causes, he again quitted Athens, and
of the mountain of that name, and on the site of retired once more to Sicily. But another reason,
the ancient Catana : in connexion with this event, which if founded on truth, perhaps operated in
Aeschylus is said to have composed his play of the conjunction with the former, has been assigned for
Women of Aetna (B. C. 471, or 472), in which he his last sojourn in Sicily. This rests on a state-
predicted and prayed for the prosperity of the ment made more or less distinctly by various
new city. At the request of Hiero, he also repro-authors, to the effect that Aeschylus was accused
duced the play of the Persae, with the trilogy of of impiety before the court of the Areiopagus, and
which he had been victorious in the dramatic con- that he would have been condemned but for the
tests at Athens. (B. C. 472. ) Now we know that interposition of his brother Ameinias, who had
the trilogy of the Seven against Thebes was re distinguished himself at the battle of Salamis.
presented soon after the “ Persians : " it follows (Aelinn, V. H. v. 19. ) According to some authors
Eleusis
irty-five
aration,
Pindar.
ted with
eschylos
ired bis
seli
,
be myt
is birth
kes him
(1. 21
.
if true
ith with
o watch
ep In
m), and
At daro
led very
diy bare
ion pro-
irragitia-
made Lis
prize and
sitbest
1% afies
: victory
rugte cat
ere most
Choerlos
rize with
lest of hs
le numa
ounted to
## p. 42 (#62) ##############################################
42
AESCHYLUS.
AESCHYLUS.
1
His younger
this accusation was preferred against him, for | Tyr. ) From and by means of these persons arose
having m some of his plays either divulged or what was called the Tragic School of Aeschylus,
profanely spoken of the mysteries of Ceres. Ac which continued for the space of 125 years.
cording to others, the charge originated from his We have hitherto spoken of Aeschylus as a poet
having introduced on the stage the dread god only; but it must not be forgotten that he was also
desses, the Eumenides, which he had done in such highly renowned as a warrior. His first achieve
a way as not only to do violence to popular pre- ments as a soldier were in the battle of Marathon,
judice, but also to excite the greatest alarm among in which his brother Cynaegeirus and himself so
the spectators. Now, the Eumenides contains no- highly distinguished themselves, that their exploits
thing which can be considered as a publication of were commemorated with a descriptive painting in
the mysteries of Ceres, and therefore we are in the theatre of Athens, which was thought to be
clined to think that his political enemies availed much older than the statue there erected in honour
themselves of the unpopularity he had incurred by of Aeschylus. (Paus i. 21. ♡ 2. ) The epitaph
his “ Chorus of Furies,” to get up against him a which he wrote on himself, proves that he con-
charge of impiety, which they supported not only sidered his share in that battle as the most glo
by what was objectionable in the Eumenides, but rious achievement of his life, though he was
also in other plays not now extant. At any rate, also engaged at Artemisium, Salamis, and Pla-
from the number of authorities all confirming this taea. (Paus. i. 14. Ø 4. ) All his family, indeed,
conclusion, there can be no doubt that towards the were distinguished for bravery.
end of his life Aeschylus incurred the serious dis brother Ameinias (Herod. viii. 84 ; Diod. xi. 25)
pleasure of a strong party at Athens, and that was noted as having commenced the attack on
after the exhibition of the Orestean trilogy he the Persian ships at Salamis, and at Marathon no
retired to Gela in Sicily, where he died B. c. 456, one was so perseveringly brave as Cynaegeirus.
in the 69th year of his age, and three years after (Herod. vi. 114. ) Hence we may not unreason-
the representation of the Eumenides. On the ably suppose, that the gratitude of the Athenians
manner of his death the ancient writers are unani- for such services contributed somewhat to a due
mous. (Suidas, s. v. Xenwrnuvv. ) An eagle, say appreciation of the poet's merits, and to the tragic
they, mistaking the poet's bald head for a stone, victory which he gained soon after the battle of
let a tortoise fall upon it to break the shell, and Marathon (B. C. 484) and before that of Salamis.
so fulfilled an oracle, according to which Aeschylus Nor can we wonder at the peculiar vividness and
was fated to die by a blow from heaven. The spirit with wbich he portrays the “ pomp and cir-
inhabitants of Gela shewed their regard for cumstance" of war, as in the Persae, and the
his character, by public solemnities in his honour, Seven against Thebes," describing its incidents
by erecting a noble monument to him, and inscrib and actions as one who had really been an actor
ing it with an epitaph written by himself. (Paus. in scenes such as he paints.
i. 14. § 4; Athen. xiv. 627. d. Vit. Anon. ) In it The style of Aeschylus is bold, energetic, and
Gela is mentioned as the place of his burial, and sublime, full of gorgeous imagery, and magnificent
the field of Marathon as the place of his most expressions such as became the elevated characters
glorious achievements; but no mention is made of of his dramas, and the ideas he wished to express.
his poetry, the only subject of commemoration in (Aristoph. Ran. 934. ) This sublimity of diction
the later epigrams written in his honour. At was however sometimes carried to an extreme,
Athens also his name and memory were holden in which made his language turgid and inflated, so
especial reverence, and the prophecy in which he that as Quintilian (x. 1) says of him," he is
(Athen. viii. 347, e. f. ) is said to have predicted his grandiloquent to a fault" in the turn of his er.
own posthumous fame, when he was first defeated pressions, the poetical predominates over the syd-
by Sophocles, was amply fulfilled. His pieces tactical. He was peculiarly fond of metaphorical
were frequently reproduced on the stage ; and by phrases and strange compounds, and obsolete lan-
a special decree of the people, a chorus was proguage, so that he was much more epic in bis
vided at the expense of the state for any one who language than either Sophocles or Euripides, and
might wish to exhibit his tragedies a second time. excelled in displaying strong feelings and impulses,
(Aristoph. Achar. 102; Aeschyl. vita. ) Hence and describing the awful and the terrible, rather
Aristophanes (Ran. 892) makes Aeschylus say of than in exhibiting the workings of the human
himself, that his poetry did not die with him; and mind under the influence of complicated and various
even after his death, he may be said to have motives. But notwithstanding the general eleva-
gained many victories over his successors in Attic tion of his style, the subordinate characters in his
tragedy. (Hermann, Opusc.
