Date of Birth: 389 BCE
Zodiac Sign: Unknown
Date of Death: 314 BCE
Biography
Aeschines was an Athenian statesman and one of the ten Attic orators, born in 389 BCE in Athens, Greece. He began his career as an actor, which helped him develop his oratory skills. Aeschines eventually transitioned into politics, where he became a prominent figure in Athenian public life. He is best known for his fervent opposition to Demosthenes, another renowned Athenian orator, and for his involvement in the political struggles surrounding the rise of Macedon under Philip II. Aeschines entered the Assembly in the 350s BCE and quickly rose to prominence. He was involved in several key political negotiations, including the peace treaty with Philip II of Macedon. His rivalry with Demosthenes culminated in a series of legal battles, the most famous being the trial of 330 BCE, where Aeschines accused Ctesiphon of illegally awarding a crown to Demosthenes. Aeschines lost the trial and subsequently went into voluntary exile. He spent his remaining years in Rhodes, where he established a school of rhetoric. His works, including the speeches “Against Timarchus,” “On the False Embassy,” and “Against Ctesiphon,” provide valuable insights into the political and social issues of his time. Aeschines died in 314 BCE.
5 Interesting Facts about Aeschines
1. Aeschines started his career as an actor before transitioning into politics.
2. He was a staunch opponent of Demosthenes, another famous Athenian orator.
3. Aeschines played a significant role in the negotiations of the Peace of Philocrates with Philip II of Macedon.
4. After his defeat in the trial against Demosthenes, Aeschines went into voluntary exile in Rhodes.
5. He established a school of rhetoric in Rhodes, which influenced the next generation of orators.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Aeschines
1. “The man who maintains that nothing is to be feared in the political state should be feared above all men.”
2. “A good orator must have the skill to speak well and the character to speak rightly.”
3. “Rhetoric is the art of ruling the minds of men.”
4. “The people, when rightly and fully informed, will always do justice.”
5. “No one of intelligence takes seriously the principle of equality except as an alternative to oppression.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
There is no historical record or estimation of Aeschines’ net worth, as such financial details were not typically documented in ancient times.
Children
Historical records do not provide specific information about Aeschines’ children, if any.
Relevant Links
1. [Aeschines – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aeschines
2. [Perseus Project: Aeschines](http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Aeschines
3. [The Orations of Aeschines – Project Gutenberg](https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/1044
4. [Livius.org: Aeschines](https://www.livius.org/articles/person/aeschines/
