Ctesiphon (orator)
Encyclopedia
Ctesiphon was an orator in Athens
during the reign of Alexander the Great. He is best known for sparking the controversy that led to Demosthenes
' speech On the Crown and Aeschines
' speech Against Ctesiphon.
In 336 BC
, Alexander the Great's empire was spreading, and many in Athens
were opposed to the ongoing wars. Among the most outspoken was the orator Demosthenes. In 336 BC, Ctesiphon proposed that Athens honor Demosthenes for services to the city by presenting him with a golden crown. This proposal became a political issue, and in 330 BC
, Aeschines
prosecuted Ctesiphon on charges of legal irregularities. In his most brilliant speech, On the Crown
, Demosthenes effectively defended Ctesiphon and attacked vehemently those who backed Alexander the Great's empire. Demosthenes won the legal battle with Aeschines, although Aeschines' legal objections to the crowning were probably valid.
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
during the reign of Alexander the Great. He is best known for sparking the controversy that led to Demosthenes
Demosthenes
Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by...
' speech On the Crown and Aeschines
Aeschines
Aeschines was a Greek statesman and one of the ten Attic orators.-Life:Although it is known he was born in Athens, the records regarding his parentage and early life are conflicting; but it seems probable that his parents, though poor, were respectable. Aeschines' father was Atrometus, an...
' speech Against Ctesiphon.
In 336 BC
336 BC
Year 336 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Crassus and Duillius...
, Alexander the Great's empire was spreading, and many in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
were opposed to the ongoing wars. Among the most outspoken was the orator Demosthenes. In 336 BC, Ctesiphon proposed that Athens honor Demosthenes for services to the city by presenting him with a golden crown. This proposal became a political issue, and in 330 BC
330 BC
Year 330 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Crassus and Venno...
, Aeschines
Aeschines
Aeschines was a Greek statesman and one of the ten Attic orators.-Life:Although it is known he was born in Athens, the records regarding his parentage and early life are conflicting; but it seems probable that his parents, though poor, were respectable. Aeschines' father was Atrometus, an...
prosecuted Ctesiphon on charges of legal irregularities. In his most brilliant speech, On the Crown
On the Crown
On the Crown is the most famous judicial oration of the prominent Athenian statesman and orator Demosthenes, delivered in 330 BC.-Historical background:...
, Demosthenes effectively defended Ctesiphon and attacked vehemently those who backed Alexander the Great's empire. Demosthenes won the legal battle with Aeschines, although Aeschines' legal objections to the crowning were probably valid.