Chapter LXXXVII

FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE SACRED WAR TO THAT OF THE OLYNTHIAN
WAR.

Causes of the Sacred War — the Amphiktyonic assembly. — Political
complaint brought before the assembly, first by Thebes against
Sparta. — Next, by Thebes against the Phokians. The Phokians
are condemned and heavily fined. — The assembly pass a vote
consecrating the Phokian territory to Apollo. — Resolution of
the Phokians to resist — Philomelus their leader. — Question of
right raised as to the presidency of the temple — old right of
the Phokians against that of the Delphians and the Amphiktyons.
— Active measures taken by Philomelus. He goes to Sparta —
obtains aid from king Archidamus. He seizes Delphi — defeats the
Lokrians. — Philomelus fortifies the temple — levies numerous
mercenaries — tries to conciliate Grecian sentiment. The Grecian
world divided. — Philomelus tries to retain the prophetic agency
— conduct of the Pythia. — Battles of Philomelus against the
Lokrians — his success. — Exertions of the Thebans to raise
a confederacy against the Phokians. — Danger of the Phokians
— they take part of the treasures of the temple, in order to
pay a mercenary force. — Numerous mercenaries employed by the
Phokians — violence and ferocity of the war — defeat and death of
Philomelus. — Onomarchus general of the Phokians — he renews the
war — his power by means of the mercenaries. — Violent measures
of Onomarchus — he employs the treasures of the temple to scatter
bribes through the various cities. — Successes of Onomarchus — he
advances as far as Thermopylæ — he invades Bœotia — is repulsed
by the Thebans. — The Thebans send a force under Pammenes to
assist Artabazus in Asia Minor. — Conquest of Sestos by Chares
and the Athenians. — Intrigues of Kersobleptes against Athens —
he is compelled to cede to her his portion of the Chersonese
— Athenian settlers sent thither, as well as to Samos. —
Activity and constant progress of Philip — he conquers Methônê —
remissness of Athens. — Philip marches into Thessaly against the
despots of Pheræ. — Great power of Onomarchus and the Phokians —
plans of Athens and Sparta — the Spartans contemplate hostilities
against Megalopolis. — First appearance of Demosthenes as a
public adviser in the Athenian assembly. — Parentage and early
youth of Demosthenes — wealth of his father — dishonesty of
his guardians. — Youth of Demosthenes — sickly and feeble
constitution — want of physical education and bodily vigor. —
Training of Demosthenes for a speaker — his instructors — Isæus —
Plato — his devoted study of Thucydides. — Indefatigable efforts
of Demosthenes to surmount his natural defects as a speaker. —
Value set by Demosthenes upon action in oratory. His mind and
thoughts — how formed. — He becomes first known as a logographer
or composer of speeches for litigants. — Phokion — his antithesis
and rivalry with Demosthenes — his character and position — his
bravery and integrity. — Lasting hold acquired by his integrity
on the public of Athens. — Number of times that he was elected
general. — His manner of speaking — effective brevity — contempt
of oratory. — His frankness — his contempt of the Athenian people
— his imperturbability — his repulsive manners. — Phokion and
Eubulus the leaders of the peace-party, which represented the
strongly predominant sentiment at Athens. — Influence of Phokion
mischievous during the reign of Philip — at that time Athens
might have prevailed over Macedonia. — Change in the military
spirit of Greece since the Peloponnesian war. Decline of the
citizen soldiership: increased spread of mercenary troops.
Contrast between the Periklean and the Demosthenic citizen.
— Decline of military readiness also among the Peloponnesian
allies of Sparta. — Multiplication of mercenary soldiers — its
mischievous consequences — necessity of providing emigration.
— Deterioration of the Grecian military force occurred at the
same time with the great development of the Macedonian force. —
Rudeness and poverty of the Macedonians — excellent material for
soldiers — organizing genius of Philip. — First parliamentary
harangue of Demosthenes — on the Symmories — alarm felt about
Persia. — Positive recommendations in the speech — mature thought
and sagacity which they imply. — His proposed preparation and
scheme for extending the basis of the Symmories. — Spirit of
the Demosthenic exhortations — always impressing the necessity
of personal effort and sacrifice as conditions of success. —
Affairs of Peloponnesus — projects of Sparta against Megalopolis
— her attempt to obtain coöperation from Athens. — Views and
recommendations of Demosthenes — he advises that Athens shall
uphold Messênê and Megalopolis. — Philip in Thessaly — he attacks
Lykophron of Pheræ, who calls in Onomarchus and the Phokians —
Onomarchus defeats Philip. — Successes of Onomarchus in Bœotia
— maximum of the Phokian power. — Philip repairs his forces and
marches again into Thessaly — his complete victory over the
Phokians — Onomarchus is slain. — Philip conquers Pheræ and
Pagasæ — becomes master of all Thessaly — expulsion of Lykophron.
— Philip invades Thermopylæ — the Athenians send a force thither
and arrest his progress. Their alarm at this juncture, and
unusual rapidity of movement. — Phayllus takes the command of the
Phokians — third spoliation of the temple — revived strength of
the Phokians — malversation of the leaders. — War in Peloponnesus
— the Spartans attack Megalopolis — interference of Thebes. —
Hostilities with indecisive result — peace concluded — autonomy
of Megalopolis again recognized. — Ill success of the Phokians
in Bœotia — death of Phayllus, who is succeeded by Phalækus. —
The Thebans obtain money from the Persian king. — Increased
power and formidable attitude of Philip. Alarm which he now
begins to inspire throughout the Grecian world. — Philip acquires
a considerable navy — importance of the Gulf of Pagasæ to him
— his flying squadrons annoy the Athenian commerce and coast.
— Philip carries on war in Thrace — his intrigues among the
Thracian princes. — He besieges Heræon Teichos: alarm at Athens:
a decree is passed to send out a fleet: Philip falls sick:
the fleet is not sent. — Popularity of the mercenary general
Charidemus — vote in his favor proposed by Aristokrates — speech
composed by Demosthenes against it. — Languor of the Athenians
— the principal peace-leaders, Eubulus, Phokion, etc., propose
nothing energetic against Philip — Demosthenes undertakes the
duty. — First Philippic of Demosthenes, 352-351 B. C. — remarks
and recommendations of the first Philippic. Severe comments on
the past apathy of the people. — He insists on the necessity
that citizens shall serve in person, and proposes the formation
of an acting fleet and armament. — His financial propositions.
— Mischiefs of the past negligence and want of preparation —
harm done by the mercenary unpaid armaments, serving without
citizens. — Characteristics of the first Philippic — prudent
advice and early warnings of Demosthenes. — Advice of Demosthenes
not carried into effect: no serious measures adopted by Athens.
— Opponents of Demosthenes at Athens — speakers in the pay of
Philip — alarm about the Persian king still continues.
241-319