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 speech delivered by the Athenian orator Demosthenes before the Assembly, addressing whether Athens should provide military assistance to Megalopolis, a city in Arcadia. Megalopolis, facing the threat of Spartan aggression, had requested an alliance with Athens. Demosthenes argues that the best path for Athenian security lies in maintaining a balance of power, ensuring that neither Sparta nor Thebes becomes excessively dominant. He criticizes the biased arguments of opposing politicians and asserts that aiding Megalopolis aligns with the traditional Athenian principle of protecting the oppressed. Furthermore, he warns of Sparta's expansionist ambitions and explains how an alliance with Megalopolis will ultimately serve Athens' own long-term interests. The speech concludes by urging the citizens of Athens to adopt a pragmatic yet just foreign policy through strategic intervention.