Aeschines

The Oratory of Classical Greece

by Aeschines, Christopher Carey (Translation), Michael Gagarin (Preface)

This is the third volume in the Oratory of Classical Greece series. Planned for publication over several years, the series will present all of the surviving speeches from the late fifth and fourth centuries B.C. in new translations prepared by classical scholars who are at the forefront of the discipline. These translations are especially designed for the needs and interests of today's undergraduates, Greekless scholars in other disciplines, and the general public. Classical oratory is an invaluable resource for the study of ancient Greek life and culture. The speeches offer evidence on Greek moral views, social and economic conditions, political and social ideology, and other aspects of Athenian culture that have been largely ignored: women and family life, slavery, and religion, to name just a few. This volume contains the three surviving speeches of Aeschines (390-? B.C.). His speeches all revolve around political developments in Athens during the second half of the fourth century B.C. and reflect the internal political rivalries in an Athens overshadowed by the growing power of Macedonia in the north. The first speech was delivered when Aeschines successfully prosecuted Timarchus, a political opponent, for having allegedly prostituted himself as a young man. The other two speeches were delivered in the context of Aeschines' long-running political feud with Demosthenes. As a group, the speeches provide important information on Athenian law and politics, the political careers of Aeschines and Demosthenes, sexuality and social history, and the historical rivalry between Athens and Macedonia.

Genres: Classics

295 pages, ebook

First published August 15, 2000

About the author

Aeschines (/ˈɪskᵻniːz/; Greek: Αἰσχίνης, Aischínēs; 389 – 314 BC) was a Greek statesman and one of the ten Attic orators.

Reviews

[Lily Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan 2024 - May 2025
One of the many books of Greek speeches I’ve had to read for my undergraduate dissertation. I love the gossip. 10/10

May 2026 - Sept 2026
I had to read and work with this text for my master's dissertation. Greek oratory and Athenian law court speeches are a massive passion of mine, and these translations have been fundamental to my learning and research. The texts are super easy to understand, and the translators' notes are great for supporting your reading. I am going to miss these now that I am leaving education.