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When Demosthenes (384-322
BC) was a youth in ancient Athens, no one could have believed that he would become the
greatest of the Greek orators. He had a speech impediment, and people jeered at his
stammering when he addressed his first large public assembly.
Demosthenes, the son of a wealthy swordmaker, was orphaned when he was only 7. His
guardians so misused his estate that little was left when Demosthenes came of age. Seeking
justice, he boldly pleaded his own case and won some damages. He was not yet an
outstanding speaker, however. To learn to speak distinctly, he talked with pebbles in his
mouth and recited verses while running. To strengthen his voice, he spoke on the seashore
over the roar of the waves.
Demosthenes' diligent work was successful. By the time he was about 25 he had
entered public life. He had won popularity and power when King Philip of Macedon was
beginning the conquest of Greece. Realizing the peril, Demosthenes made eloquent appeals
for his countrymen to unite and preserve their freedom. These powerful orations against
Philip were known as philippics, a term still in use to describe any impassioned
denunciation or tirade.
The Athenians were too late in heeding Demosthenes ' warnings. Then he was falsely
accused of taking a bribe. He was fined and imprisoned but escaped into exile. After his
final effort to obtain freedom for Greece failed, he swallowed poison from his pen.
Demosthenes' greatest oration is entitled `On the Crown'. He delivered it in 330
BC. It was a review and justification of his public life and a condemnation of his bitter
rival, Aeschines, who was forced into exile.
This is a fine bust of the most famous Greek Orator made of fine bonded stone coated with a special marble patina.
| # | Height | Price | |
| 384L | 15 in.(38 cm) | $139.00 |
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