First Philippic

oration by Demosthenes

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June 26, 2026

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The "First Philippic" is a speech delivered by the Athenian statesman and orator Demosthenes in 351 BCE. In this oration, Demosthenes urged the Athenians to resist the growing power and imperialistic ambitions of Philip II of Macedon. He criticized their inaction and timidity, reminding them of past glories and the need to defend their freedom. The speech was a pivotal moment, establishing Demosthenes as a leading voice against Macedonian expansion. Despite its eloquence, the "First Philippic" did not immediately rouse the Athenians to significant action. The term "Philippic" itself, derived from these speeches, has come to mean a bitter denunciation.123

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Demosthenes
Leader of the democratic faction
…against Philip, the so-called “First Philippic,” that established him as the leader of the opposition to Macedonian imperial ambitions. For the next 29 years Demosthenes never wavered; as Plutarch says, “The object which he chose for himself in the commonwealth was noble and just, the defense of the Grecians…
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…against Philip, the so-called “First Philippic,” that established him as the leader of the opposition to Macedonian imperial ambitions. For the next 29 years Demosthenes never wavered; as Plutarch says, “The object which he chose for himself in the commonwealth was noble and just, the defense of the Grecians…
Read More