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 by the Athenian statesman and orator Demosthenes, urging the Athenian assembly to provide military assistance to the people of Rhodes, whose democracy had been overthrown under Carian rule. Addressing the debate over whether to help a state that had previously been hostile to Athens, Demosthenes argues that supporting the Rhodians will enhance Athens' international reputation and security. He demonstrates through historical precedents that Athens has no need to fear the reaction of the Persian King or Artemisia, the ruler of Caria. He emphasizes the solidarity between democracies, warning that the collapse of democracy in other states ultimately poses a threat to Athens' own democratic system. In conclusion, he fiercely criticizes domestic politicians who favor oligarchy or Persia, calling upon the Athenians to make a courageous decision worthy of their ancestors' glory.