418 DEMOSTHENES
The chief Athenian leader of the pro-Macedonian party, Demosthenes' ablest rival and opponent, was Aeschines. In the Spring of 336 B. c, a certain Ctesiphon had pro- posed that a golden crown be awarded to Demosthenes for his public services, and that this crown be proclaimed in the theatre, at the great Dionysiac festival. Aeschines attacked this measure as unconstitutional, and prosecuted Ctesiphon, in whose defence, as well as in behalf of his own fame, Demos- thenes delivered his Oration 07i the Crown, from Λvhich these extracts are taken, — reviewing his whole public life and policy. The case came to trial six years after the ac- cusation, in August 330 b. c, before a court of at least five hundred citizens. Many other Athenians, and Greeks from other cities, were present, and the orator often speaks as if he were addressing the whole body of his fellow citizens. Aeschines received less than one fifth of the votes of the court, and withdrew fi'om Athens in humiliation.
The translation here used is that of the English states- man, Lord Brougham, — himself an orator of no mean power, but not wholly successful as a translator.
ORATION ON THE CROWN §§ 42-53.
I NOW return to the proof that the corruption and profligacy of these men was the cause of our present condition.
AVhen you were circumvented by Philip through those hirelings of his whom you had sent as ambassa- dors, and who never made you any true report, and when the miserable Phocians were also circumvented, and had their cities razed to the ground,^ what fol- lowed ? The despicable Thessalians and the senseless 1 Id 346 B. c.
