Demosthenes
384–322 BCE
Athenian orator who overcame a speech impediment through fierce practice. Proof that eloquence is often trained, not gifted.
Story so far
- 384 BCEpersonal
Born in Paeania
- 366 BCEpersonal
Comes of age
- 364–361 BCEwork
Sues his guardians
- 354 BCEhighlight
First public political speeches
- 351 BCEhighlight
First Philippic
- 338 BCEcontroversy
Battle of Chaeronea
- 336 BCEpersonal
Death of Philip II
- 335 BCEcontroversy
Revolt against Alexander
- 324 BCEcontroversy
Harpalus scandal
- 323 BCEhighlight
Lamian War
- 322 BCEdeath
Death by suicide
- Posthumouslegacy
Legacy as greatest orator
Life chapters will appear here once the autobiography track is generated.
Posts
Clarity over ornament
Persuasion is not decoration. It is clarity under pressure. Know your one sentence. Say it early. Support it. Stop when you have been understood — not when you have been admired.
Before the assembly
The first speeches shake. The tenth shake less. The hundredth still may shake — and still carry truth. Do not wait to feel brave. Brave is what you call the feeling after you have begun.
Practice against the waves
They say I trained with pebbles in my mouth and spoke against the roar of the sea. Whether every tale is literal matters less than the method: make practice harder than the stage, and the stage feels kinder.