Chapter IX: Demosthenes (3)

The spurious _Fourth Philippic_ (341-340 B.C.) has been discussed (_supra_, p. 218). The speech on _Halonnesus_ (342 B.C.) is attributed to Hegesippus. It is a reply to an offer on the part of Philip to present to Athens the island of Halonnesus which he had seized, after clearing out the pirates who occupied it.[392]

_On the Treaty with Alexander_, date uncertain, probably 335 B.C., is also by a contemporary of Demosthenes. The theme is,—Treaties should be observed by all, but Macedon has broken promises, so this is an opportunity for Athens to recover her freedom.

The _Answer to Philip’s Letter_ and the speech περὶ συντάξεως (on financial organization) are generally regarded as rhetorical forgeries.

Two epideictic speeches, the _Epitaphius_ and _Eroticus_, are almost certainly not by Demosthenes, and the six _Letters_ are doubtful. The fifty-six _prooemia_, or introductions to speeches, are probably genuine exercises of the orator’s early days.