Demosthenes died in 322 BC aged 62. His legacy influences modern day leaders across the world and the political spectrum. Not because of his philosophy and his beliefs, but for his ability to speak persuasively. He is perhaps the greatest orator of ancient Greece.

Much has been said recently by the leaders of the UK's opposition party, the Labour Party, about introducing improved speech and language skills lessons in our school system. Perhaps they (school children, not the Labour Party) can turn to Demosthenes for some inspiration instead.

Who was Demosthenes, what did he do, and why does he matter?

Demosthenes was born in 384 BC in Athens, arguably the city giving rise to democracy, certainly philosophy, deep thinking and deep culture. He was the son of a wealthy sword maker, but he lost his father when he was only seven years old. His guardians cheated him out of his inheritance, so he sued them in court to recover some of his losses. He also had a speech impediment that made him stutter and lisp, but he overcame it by practicing speaking. He would load his mouth with pebbles and speak in front of a mirror.

Demosthenes became a professional speech writer, or logographer, who composed speeches for other people to deliver in court or in the assembly. He also started to speak for himself on political matters, especially against the growing threat of the Persian invasion of Greece. Demosthenes delivered a series of speeches that with tightly woven reason persuaded the Athenians to resist and to defend their freedom. He also formed alliances with other Greek states and tried to persuade them to join the defence against the rising tide of the Persians.

Demosthenes was not only a brilliant speaker, but also a courageous leader. He fought in several battles against the Persians and the Macedonians. He also faced political enemies at home, who accused him of corruption and treason. He was exiled twice, but he always returned to Athens and continued to speak for the common good.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest statesmen and orators of all time. His speeches are masterpieces of rhetoric, logic, and style. They are also valuable sources of information about the history, politics, and culture of 4th-century Greece. His influence can be seen in many later speakers and writers, from Cicero and Quintilian in ancient Rome to Abraham Lincoln and Winston Churchill in modern times.

Why does Demosthenes matter today? Because he shows us the power of words to inspire people and to challenge tyranny. He also shows us the importance of civic courage and patriotism, as he was willing to risk his life for his beliefs. He died by his own hand in rather than surrender to the Macedonians who pursued him. Demosthenes' legacy lives on in the history of democracy and in the art of public speaking.

The link at the end of this blog takes you to Demosthenes' most famous speeches, such as the Philippics and Olynthiacs, where he attacked Philip of Macedon and his allies, and the cases of The Treaty and The Crown, where he defended himself and accused Aeschines of treason. Each speech has a short introduction that explains the background and the main arguments. Why not read them and form your own opinion? This is a great way to experience Ancient Greece, much better than any history book.

Perhaps his greatest influence on me is that he practiced his speeches, not only using the methods mentioned above, but also by speaking at the sea. He tried to overcome the noise of the waves with his voice, which made him louder and stronger. This shows that anyone can improve their skills with hard work and determination, even if they are not naturally gifted. It also shows that rhetoric is a skill that can be learned and mastered. The French painter Eugène Delacroix depicted this in his 1859 painting 'Demosthenes Declaiming by the Sea', which is one of my favourites. It is almost as if Delacroix asserts that Demosthenes' speak is powerful enough to part the sea.

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/The_Public_Orations_of_Demosthenes

I hope you enjoyed this introduction to Demosthenes and that you will come back for more blog posts on deep work, culture and more. Thank you for reading!