Aeschines

Letters

This collection of twelve letters is attributed to the Athenian orator Aeschines, written during his exile after losing his high-profile legal battle against Demosthenes. Addressing the Athenian council, assembly, friends, and bitter political rivals, the letters offer a vivid window into his life in exile, primarily on the island of Rhodes. The early letters recount his arduous journey, express anger towards those who harass his family in his absence, and justify his misfortune by comparing himself to great Athenian predecessors like Themistocles. Alongside serious political matters, the collection features private anecdotes, including a humorous scandal involving his companion in Ilion. In the later letters, Aeschines warns the Athenians against waging a reckless war against Macedon after Alexander the Great's death, urging them to assess their actual resources rather than listening to demagogues like Demosthenes. Ultimately, the work depicts the complex emotions of a defeated statesman who, despite his exile, remains deeply concerned for his homeland and pleads for mercy for his vulnerable family.