Writers & Philosophers of Greece : Aeschines

 

Aeschines was a famous Greek orator and statesman who lived in the 4th century BCE. He was born in 389 BCE in the Attic deme of Athmonon, located in the eastern part of Athens. Aeschines was the son of Atrometus and Glaukothea, and he had two brothers, Aristarchus and Philochorus. His father was a poor schoolmaster who provided his children with only a basic education.

Despite his humble origins, Aeschines rose to prominence in Athenian politics and became one of the most well-known orators of his time. He began his career as a clerk in the court of the archon Eubulus, and later served as a secretary to the politician and general Callistratus. Aeschines then went on to become a clerk in the Boule, the Athenian council of 500, before entering politics himself.

Aeschines was a member of the pro-Macedonian party in Athens, which advocated for an alliance with the kingdom of Macedon under King Philip II. This put him at odds with his rival Demosthenes, who was a member of the anti-Macedonian party and argued for a policy of resistance against Macedon. The rivalry between Aeschines and Demosthenes became one of the most famous in Athenian politics, and the two men engaged in a series of public debates that are now considered some of the greatest examples of ancient Greek oratory.

Aeschines' most famous speech was the "Against Ctesiphon," which he delivered in 330 BCE. The speech was a response to a proposal by Ctesiphon, another Athenian politician and a supporter of Demosthenes, to honor him with a crown for his services to Athens. Aeschines argued that Demosthenes was unworthy of such an honor and had actually harmed Athens by his policies, including his opposition to an alliance with Macedon. The speech was a tour de force of rhetorical skill, and Aeschines' powerful delivery and clever arguments won him many admirers.

Despite his talents as an orator, Aeschines was not always successful in politics. In 346 BCE, he was sent as an envoy to Philip II of Macedon, but failed to secure favorable terms for Athens. He was then accused of taking bribes from the Macedonian king, and brought to trial in 343 BCE. Aeschines defended himself in court with another famous speech, the "On the Embassy," in which he denied the charges and accused his accuser, Timarchus, of having engaged in immoral behavior. Aeschines was acquitted of the charges, but his reputation was tarnished by the scandal.

Aeschines later went into exile in Rhodes, where he lived for several years before returning to Athens in 324 BCE. He attempted to re-enter politics, but was unsuccessful and retired from public life. He then turned to writing, and is known to have written several works, including an autobiography, a treatise on the priesthood, and a work on rhetoric.

Aeschines' works were highly regarded in antiquity, but few have survived to the present day. His autobiography, which was entitled "The Politeia," is known only from references in other works. It is said to have contained an account of his life up to the time of his trial, and to have been a valuable source of information on Athenian politics and society.

Aeschines' treatise on the priesthood was called "On the Mysteries," and dealt with the religious rites of the Eleusinian Mysteries, one of the most important religious festivals in ancient Greece. The work is also lost, but is said to have contained a detailed description of the rituals and practices of the Mysteries, as well as Aeschines' own interpretations and reflections on their meaning.

Aeschines' work on rhetoric was called "The Art of Rhetoric," and was a systematic treatise on the principles of persuasive speech. Unfortunately, the work has not survived in its entirety, and only fragments remain. However, these fragments suggest that Aeschines' approach to rhetoric was more focused on the art of persuasion than on the theory of argumentation. He emphasized the importance of adapting one's style and arguments to the specific audience and situation, and believed that the use of rhetorical devices and techniques was crucial to effective speech.

Aside from his speeches and writings, little is known about Aeschines' personal life. He never married and had no children, and his relationship with his family is unclear. However, he was known to be a close friend of the philosopher and scientist Aristotle, who praised Aeschines' oratorical skills and invited him to teach rhetoric at his school in Athens.

Aeschines' legacy in ancient Greek culture was significant, and his speeches were widely studied and admired for centuries after his death. He was considered one of the greatest orators of his time, and his influence on later generations of Greek and Roman orators was considerable. In particular, his emphasis on persuasive style and technique was influential in the development of the art of rhetoric.

Today, Aeschines is remembered primarily for his role in the famous rivalry with Demosthenes. Their debates and speeches have been preserved in written form and continue to be studied as examples of classical oratory. The "Against Ctesiphon" speech is still considered one of the greatest speeches in ancient Greek literature, and has been studied and admired for its masterful use of rhetorical technique and its insight into Athenian politics.

In conclusion, Aeschines was a significant figure in ancient Greek politics and oratory, and his legacy has endured for centuries. He rose from humble origins to become one of the most famous orators of his time, and his speeches and writings continue to be studied and admired for their rhetorical skill and insight into Athenian society. Despite his political setbacks and personal struggles, Aeschines left an enduring mark on the history of Greek rhetoric, and his contributions continue to be celebrated and studied to this day.