The Orator Demosthenes

Demosthenes warned that Philip would conquer Greece. Despite his speeches, Philip took Olynthus and destroyed the Olynthian cities so completely they could not be found later. Demosthenes wrote three Olynthiac orations still read today. Philip sent him a gold cup as a bribe—but Demosthenes kept talking. As an orphan, Demosthenes could not speak clearly. He put pebbles in his mouth and recited poetry on the seashore above the waves. He ran uphill reciting. He copied Thucydides nine times. He shaved one side of his head so he couldn't go out socializing. His constant effort was rewarded—he became the greatest Greek orator. But lazy Athenians did not resist, and Philip grew powerful.