Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/399

 CAPTIVES AT OLYNTHUS. 37 throu gi: some of the great tragic and comic actors; who, I ravel- ling in the exercise of their profession to every city in Greece, were everywhere regarded in some sort as privileged persons. One of these, Neoptolemus, 1 had already availed himself of his favored profession and liberty of transit to assist in Philip's in- trigues and correspondences at Athens ; another, Aristodemus, was also in good esteem with Philip ; both were probably going to Macedonia to take part in the splendid Olympic festival there preparing. They were charged to make application, and take the best steps in their power, for the safety or release of the captives. 2 It would appear that these actors were by no means expeditious in the performance of their mission. They probably spent some time in their professional avocations in Macedonia ; and Aristo- demus, not being a responsible envoy, delayed some time even after his return, before he made any report. That his mission had not been wholly fruitless, however, became presently evident from the arrival of the captive latrokles, whom Philip had released without ransom. The Senate then summoned Aristodemus be- fore them, inviting him to make a general report of his proceed- ings, which he did ; first before the Senate, next, before the public assembly. He affirmed that Philip had entertained his propositions kindly, and that he was in the best dispositions to- wards Athens ; desirous not only to be at peace with her, but even to be admitted as her ally. Demosthenes, then a senator, moved a vote of thanks and a wreath to Aristodemus. 3 This report, as far as we can make out, appears to have been made about September or October 347 B. c. ; -^Eschines, and the 1 Demosth. De Pace, p. 58. 2 ^Eschines (Fals. Leg. p. 30. c. 8) mentions only Aristodemus. But from various passages in the oration of Demosthenes (De Fals. Leg. p. 344, 346. 371, 443), we gather that the actor Neoptolemus must have been conjoined with him ; perhaps also the Athenian Ktesiphon, though this is less certain, Demosthenes mentions Aristodemus again, in the speech De Corona (p. 232) as the first originator of the peace. Demosthenes (De Pace, p. 58) had, even before this, denounced Neopto lemus as playing a corrupt game, for -;he purposes of Philip, at Athens Soon after the peace, Neoptolemus sold up all his property at Athens, and went to raside in Macedonia. 3 jEschin, Fals. Leg. p. 30. c. 8. VOL. xi 32