Demosthenes' basic rival was Aeschines of Athens (390-330
B.C.). Such information as we have about his life mostly derives
from Demosthenes' assault on him in the speech On the Crown.
He entered politics at a subsequent period, as a supporter of
Eubulus, which effectively meant of Philip of Macedon. He was
with Demosthenes on the embassy sent by Athens to Philip after
the defeat at Olynthus in 348 B.C. For Demosthenes, Aeschines'
conduct on that occasion was that of a traitor, and he came to an
understanding with the rich politician Timarchus whereby the
latter laid an accusation of treason against Aeschines. The
latter replied in his speech Versus Timarchus, with which
he convinced the jury that Timarchus had been a teenage pederast.
The upshot was that Timarchus was found guilty and stripped of
his citizen rights, in accordance with Athenian law. When the
case finished, Demosthenes returned to the attack with his speech
On the Queer Embassy. Aeschines, giving his own speech the
same name, answered the accusations and was acquitted once more.
This was by no means the end of the duel. A proposal was made,
by Ctesiphon, that Demosthenes should receive a golden crown in
recognition of his heroic deeds against Philip. Aeschines voiced
his objection to this in his speech Versus Ctesiphon.
Demosthenes defended Ctesiphon with the speech entitled On the
Crown. The jury found against Aeschines and fined him one
thousand drachmae. Rather than pay, the orator preferred to go
into voluntary exile and continue his career in other regions of
Hellas. He finally settled at Rhodes. We do not know exactly when
and where he died.
