Chapter XCV

GRECIAN AFFAIRS FROM THE LANDING OF ALEXANDER IN ASIA TO THE
CLOSE OF THE LAMIAN WAR.

State of the Grecian world when Alexander crossed the Hellespont.
— Grecian spirit might have been called into action if the
Persians had played their game well. — Hopes raised in Greece,
first by the Persian fleet in the Ægean, next by the two great
Persian armies on land. — Public acts and policy at Athens —
decidedly pacific. — Phokion and Demades were leading ministers
at Athens — they were of macedonizing politics. — Demosthenes
and Lykurgus, though not in the ascendent politically, are
nevertheless still public men of importance. Financial activity
of Lykurgus. — Position of Demosthenes — his prudent conduct
— Anti-Macedonian movement from Sparta — King Agis visits the
Persian admirals in the Ægean. His attempts both in Krete and
in the Peloponnesus. — Agis levies an army in Peloponnesus,
and makes open declaration against Antipater. — Agis, at first
partially successful, is completely defeated by Antipater, and
slain. — Complete submission of all Greece to Antipater — Spartan
envoys sent up to Alexander in Asia. — Untoward result of the
defensive efforts of Greece — want of combination. — Position
of parties at Athens during the struggle of Agis — reaction of
the macedonizing party after his defeat. — Judicial contest
between Æschines and Demosthenes. Preliminary circumstances as
to the proposition of Ktesiphon, and the indictment by Æschines.
— Accusatory harangue of Æschines, nominally against the
proposition of Ktesiphon, really against the political life of
Demosthenes. — Appreciation of Æschines, on independent evidence,
as an accuser of Demosthenes. — Reply of Demosthenes — oration De
Coronâ. — Funeral oration of extinct Grecian freedom. — Verdict
of the Dikasts — triumph of Demosthenes — exile of Æschines. —
Causes of the exile of Æschines — he was the means of procuring
coronation for Demosthenes. — Subsequent accusation against
Demosthenes, in the affair of Harpalus. — Flight of Harpalus
to Athens — his previous conduct and relations with Athens. —
False reports conveyed to Alexander, that the Athenians had
identified themselves with Harpalus. — Circumstances attending
the arrival of Harpalus at Sunium — debate in the Athenian
assembly — promises held out by Harpalus — the Athenians
seem at first favorably disposed towards him. — Phokion and
Demosthenes both agree in dissuading the Athenians from taking
up Harpalus. — Demand by Antipater for the surrender of Harpalus
— the Athenians refuse to comply, but they arrest Harpalus and
sequestrate his treasure for Alexander. — Demosthenes moves the
decree for arrest of Harpalus, who is arrested, but escapes. —
Conduct of Demosthenes in regard to the treasure of Harpalus —
deficiency of the sum counted and realized, as compared with
the sum announced by Harpalus. — Suspicions about this money —
Demosthenes moves that the Areopagus shall investigate the matter
— the Areopagites bring in a report against Demosthenes himself,
with Demades and others, as guilty of corrupt appropriation.
Demosthenes is tried on this charge, condemned, and goes into
exile. — Was Demosthenes guilty of such corrupt appropriation?
Circumstances as known in the case. — Demosthenes could not have
received the money from Harpalus, since he opposed him from first
to last. — Had Demosthenes the means of embezzling, after the
money had passed out of the control of Harpalus? Answer in the
negative. Accusatory speech of Deinarchus — virulent invective
destitute of facts. — Change of mind respecting Demosthenes,
in the Athenean public, in a few months. — Probable reality of
the case, respecting the money of Harpalus, and the sentence of
the Areopagus. — Rescript of Alexander to the Grecian cities,
directing that the exiles should be recalled in each. — Purpose
of the rescript — to provide partisans for Alexander in each of
the cities. Discontents in Greece. — Effect produced in Greece,
by the death of Alexander. The Athenians declare themselves
champions of the liberation of Greece, in spite of Phokion’s
opposition. — The Ætolians and many other Greeks join the
confederacy for liberation — activity of the Athenian Leosthenes
as General. — Athenian envoys sent round to invite co-operation
from the various Greeks. — Assistance lent to the Athenian envoys
by Demosthenes, though in exile. — He is recalled to Athens, and
receives an enthusiastic welcome. — Large Grecian confederacy
against Antipater — nevertheless without Sparta. Bœotia strongly
in the Macedonian interest. Leosthenes with the confederate
army marches into Thessaly. — Battle in Thessaly — victory of
Leosthenes over Antipater, who is compelled to throw himself
into Lamia, and await succors from Asia — Leosthenes forms the
blockade of Lamia: he is slain. — Misfortune of the death of
Leosthenes. Antiphilus is named in his place. Relaxed efforts
of the Grecian army. — Leonnatus, with a Macedonian army from
Asia, arrives in Thessaly. His defeat and death. — Antipater
escapes from Lamia, and takes the command. — War carried on by
sea between the Macedonian and Athenian fleets. — Reluctance
of the Greek contingents to remain on long-continued service.
The army in Thessaly is thinned by many returning home. —
Expected arrival of Kraterus to reinforce Antipater. Relations
between the Macedonian officers. — State of the regal family,
and of the Macedonian generals and soldiery, after the death of
Alexander. — Philip Aridæus is proclaimed king: the satrapies
are distributed among the principal officers. — Perdikkas the
chief representative of central authority, assisted by Eumenes
of Kardia. — List of projects entertained by Alexander at the
time of his death. The generals dismiss them as too vast. —
Plans of Leonnatus and Kleopatra. — Kraterus joins Antipater in
Macedonia with a powerful army. Battle of Krannon in Thessaly.
Antipater gains a victory over the Greeks though not a complete
one. — Antiphilus tries to open negotiations with Antipater, who
refuses to treat except with each city singly. Discouragement
among the Greeks. Each city treats separately. Antipater grants
favorable terms to all, except Athenians and Ætolians. Antipater
and his army in Bœotia — Athens left alone and unable to resist.
Demosthenes and the other anti-Macedonian orators take flight.
Embassy of Phokion, Xenokrates, and others to Antipater. — Severe
terms imposed upon Athens by Antipater. — Disfranchisement and
deportation of the 12,000 poorest Athenian citizens. — Hardship
suffered by the deported poor of Athens — Macedonian garrison
placed in Munychia. — Demosthenes, Hyperides, and others, are
condemned to death in their absence. Antipater sends officers
to track and seize the Grecian exiles. He puts Hyperides to
death. — Demosthenes in sanctuary at Kalauria — Archias with
Thracian soldiers comes to seize him — he takes poison, and
dies. — Miserable condition of Greece — life and character of
Demosthenes. — Dishonorable position of Phokion at Athens under
the Macedonian occupation.
275-331