Demades

Demades (, BC) was an Athenian orator and demagogue.

Background and early life

Demades was born into a poor family of ancient Paeania and was employed at one time as a common sailor, but he rose to a prominent position at Athens thanks to his eloquence as well as his unscrupulous character. He espoused the cause of Philip II of Macedon in the war against Olynthus, and was thus brought into bitter and lifelong enmity with Demosthenes, whom he at first supported.

Relations with Macedon

Demades fought against the Macedonians in the Battle of Chaeronea, and was taken prisoner. Having made a favourable impression upon Philip, he was released together with his fellow-captives, and was instrumental in bringing about a treaty of peace between Macedonia and Athens. Antipater's opponent, Demades was put to death by Antipater at Pella, when entrusted with another mission by the Athenians.

Demades was avaricious and unscrupulous, but he was a highly gifted and practised orator.

Legacy

It has been said of Demades that he was a master improviser. This may explain why practically none of his works have fully survived and only scattered fragments have been preserved.

A fragment of a speech, bearing his name, in which he defends his conduct, is to be found in C Müller's Oratores Attici, ii. 438, but its genuineness is considered to be doubtful.

The saying that "Draco's laws were written with blood, not with ink" is attributed to Demades.

He is also alleged to have called the state largesse distributed by the Theoric Fund the "cement of democracy".