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Demosthenes -384 - -322 (62)

Nothing is easier than self-deceit. For what every man wishes, that he also believes to be true.


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Demosthenes (384 – 12 October 322 BC) was a Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. He was born into a wealthy family but his father died when he was a child and tutors squandered his inheritance.He began his career as a politician and orator from the age of 18; he soon obtained a great deal of fame.

Demosthenes lived in a very difficult time fro Greece, when King Philip II of Macedonia wanted to conquer it. Demosthenes' ideal was a free Greece and, within it, a powerful and influential Athens. For this reason he wrote many speeches against Philip II and, later, his son and successor, Alexander the Great. His speeches in favor of Greek independence were of great persuasive force but Greece was conquered by the Macedonians.

Demosthenes made many enemies with his orators and eventually this cost him his life in 322 B.C.