Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/416

 39C HISTORY OF GREECK. Accordingly, after the great Dionysiac festival, these two pre- scribed assemblies were held, on the 18th and 19th of Elaplie- bolion. The three ambassadors from Philip, Parmenio, Antipa ter, and Eurylochus were present, both at the festival and the assemblies. 1 The general question of the relations between Athens and Philip being here submitted for discussion, the reso- lution of the confederate synod was at the same time communi- cated. Of this resolution the most significant article was, that the pynod accepted beforehand the decree of the Athenian assembly, whatever that might be ; the other articles were recommendations, doubtless heard with respect, and constituting a theme for speak- ers to insist on, yet carrying no positive authority. But in the pleadings of the two rival orators some years afterwards, (from which alone we know the facts), the entire resolution of the synod appears invested with a factitious importance ; because each of them had an interest in professing to have supported it, each accuses the other of having opposed it ; both wished to disconnect themselves from Philokrates, then a disgraced exile, and from the peace moved by him, which had become discredited. It was Phi- lokrates who stood forward in the assembly as the prominent mover of peace and alliance with Philip. His motion did not embrace either of the recommendations of the synod, respecting ently represented by JEschines in the earlier and in the later orations. What is really different in the two orations, is the way in which -ZEschinei perverts the import of the resolution to inculpate Demosthenes ; affirming in the later oration, that if Athens had waited for the return of her envoys n mission, she might have made peace with Philip jointly with a large body of Grecian allies ; and that it was Demosthenes who hindered her from doing this, by hurrying on the discussions about the peace (^Esch. adv. Ktesiph. p. 61-63), etc. Westermann thinks that the synod would not take upon them to prescribe how many assemblies the Athenians should convene for the purpose of debating about peace. But it seems to have been a common practice with the Athenians, about peace or other special and important matters, to convene two assemblies on two days immediate- ly succeeding : all that the synod here recommended was, that the Athe- nians should follow the usual custom irpoypinpai rove Trpvravetc K/f/l77ffmf 6iio Kara rovf vouovf, etc. That two assemblies, neither less nor more, should be convened far the purpose, was a point of no material importance- except that it indicated a determination to decide the question at rnce -* Kins desemparer. 1 JEschine?, adv. Ktesiph. p. 64.