Source edition
Demosthenes. Orationes, Vol. III. Rennie, W., editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1931.
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 funeral oration (Epitaphios Logos) delivered to honor and commemorate the Athenian citizens who fell in battle for their city. The speaker begins by praising the Athenian law that decrees a public funeral for these fallen soldiers, highlighting their noble, autochthonous lineage and the blessings of their native land. The speech then recalls the mythical and historical exploits of their ancestors, such as the repelling of the Amazons and the Persians, to contextualize the courage of the deceased. It extols the virtues of the fallen men from youth to adulthood, linking their bravery to the democratic spirit of Athens and the proud legends of their respective tribes. Finally, contrasting the grief of the living with the immortal happiness attained by the dead, the orator consoles the bereaved families, encouraging them to bear their loss with pride before concluding the state funeral.