Demosthenes. Born about 385 BC. Greek orator, resolved to study rhetoric, though his lungs were weak, his pronunciation bad, and his gesture awkward. Demosthenes persevered until he surpassed all other orators, and is noted for his "Philippics" and "Olynthiacs," aimed against Philip of Macedon. In 322 B.C., on the advance of Antipater, Demosthenes fled, and poisoned himself in preference to falling into his enemies' hands.

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