The False Legation

"The False Legation" is an oration delivered by Demosthenes, a prominent Athenian statesman and orator, in 343 BCE. This speech was part of a legal and political struggle between Demosthenes and his rival, Aeschines. Demosthenes accused Aeschines of misrepresenting information and acting improperly during a diplomatic mission to negotiate a peace treaty with King Philip II of Macedon. The oration highlights the complex political landscape of ancient Greece and Demosthenes' role in opposing Macedonian expansion. The speech is a significant example of Athenian legal and rhetorical practices, where citizens had to defend themselves in court, often relying on skilled orators like Demosthenes to prepare their arguments.1