Source edition
Demosthenes. Orationes, Vol. I. Butcher, S. H., editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1903.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA (per Perseus's terms)
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a political oration delivered before the Athenian assembly in response to a letter from King Philip II of Macedon. The central theme is the exposure of Macedonia's deceptive foreign policy and a call for a firm stance regarding the ownership of the Aegean island of Halonnesus and the renegotiation of the peace treaty. The speaker begins by unmasking the deception of Philip, who offers to "present" the island as a gift to Athens rather than "restore" it as their rightful property. He then details Macedonian transgressions concerning other disputed territories, such as Potidaea and Amphipolis, and warns against Philip's attempt to expand naval dominance under the pretext of suppressing piracy. Finally, after denouncing the illegal occupations and unjust arbitration proposals, the orator concludes by fiercely condemning the pro-Macedonian politicians within Athens who betray their own city's interests.