Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/432

 406 HISTORY OF GREECE. According to this rule, Demosthenes was first heard, and de livered a speech (if we are to believe ^Eschines) not only leaving out all useful comment upon the actual situation, but so spiteful towards his colleagues, and so full of extravagant flattery to Phih'pj as to put the hearers to shame. 1 The turn now came to JEschines, who repeats in abridgment his own long oration delivered to Philip. We can reason upon it with some confidence, in our estimate of -Sis- chines, though we cannot trust his reports about Demosthenes. .ZEschines addressed himself exclusively to the subject of Philip's intended expedition to Thermopylae. lie exhorted Philip to set- tle the controversy, pending with respect to the Amphiktyons and the Delphian temple, by peaceful arbitration and not by arms. But if armed interference was inevitable, Philip ought carefully to inform himself of the ancient and holy bond whereby the Am- phiktyonic synod was held together. That synod consisted of twelve different nations or sections of the Hellenic name, each in- cluding many cities small as well as great ; each holding two votes and no more ; each binding itself by an impressive oath, to up- hold and protect every other Amphiktyonic city. Under this venerable sanction, the Boeotian cities, being Amphiktyonic like the rest, were entitled to protection against the Thebans their de- stroyers. The purpose of Philip's expedition, to restore the Am- phiktyonic council, was (^Eschines admitted) holy and just. 2 He ought to carry it through in the same spirit ; punishing the indi- viduals originally concerned in the seizure of the Delphian temple, but not the cities to which they belonged, provided those cities were willing to give up the Avrong-doers. But if Philip should go beyond this point, and confirm the unjust dominion of Thebes over the other Boeotian towns, he would do wrong on his own side, add to the number of his enemies, and reap no gratitude from those whom he^ favored. 3 Demosthenes, in his comments upon this second embassy, 1 ^Eschines, Fals. Leg. p. 42. c. 34. 8 JEschines, Fals. Leg. p. 43. c. 36. Tr)v (lev ovv upx^v rr/f arpaieiac rail- rr)<; bciav xal dinaiav inrtj>7]vufj.j}v eiva, etc. ' ATreffivuftriv OTI epol done! 6'iKaiov elvat, [iri nepioppv /careffu^va< rflf kv BOIUTOIC 7ro/U<, OTL 6/j r/aav 'A.p<piKTVOvi6ef nai Ivopnoi. 3 JEscbines, Fals. Leg. p. 43. c. 37 ; compare Demosth. Fals. Leg. p. 347