Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/461

 SENTIMENTS OF DEMOSTHENES. 435 of Philip, who occupied it, together with the Phokian territory, by a permanent garrison of his own troops. 1 The Amphiktyonic assembly had become an instrument for his exaltation. Both Thebans and Thessalians were devoted to his interest ; rejoicing in the ruin of their common enemies the Phokians, without re- flecting on the more formidable power now established on their frontiers. Though the power of Thebes had been positively in- creased by regaining Orchomenus and Koroneia, yet, compara- tively speaking, the new position of Philip brought upon her, as well as upon Athens and the rest of Greece, a degradation and extraneous mastery such as had never before been endured. 9 This new position of Philip, as champion of the Amphiktyonic assembly, and within the line of common Grecian defence, was profoundly felt by Demosthenes. A short time after the surren- der of Thermopylae, when the Thessalian and Macedonian envoys had arrived at Athens, announcing the recent determination of the Amphiktyons to confer upon Philip the place in that assem- bly from whence the Phokians had been just expelled, concur- rence of Athens in this vote was invited; but the Athenians, mortified and exasperated at the recent turn of events, were hard- ly disposed to acquiesce. Here we find Demosthenes taking the cautious side, and strongly advising compliance. He insists upon the necessity of refraining from any measure calculated to break the existing peace, however deplorable may have been its condi- tions ; and of giving no pretence to the Amphiktyons for voting conjoint war against Athens, to be executed by Philip. 3 These recommendations, prudent under the circumstances, prove that Demosthenes, though dissatisfied with the peace, was anxious to keep it now that it was made ; and that if he afterwards came to renew his exhortations to war, this was owing to new encroach- ments and more menacing attitude on the part of Philip. We have other evidences, besides the Demosthenic speech just cited, to attest the effect of Philip's new position on the Grecian mind. Shortly after the peace, and before the breaking up of the 1 Demosth. Philipp. iii. p. 119. EKOfticrdai, nuMidTa KmpaKrai, Trpof <5e TI/J.TJV Kal 66ai', alaxiara, etc.
 * Demosth. De Pace, p. 62. vvvl 6e Qj]j3aioi$ Kp<J{ [lev rb TTJV x
 * Dcmostli. Be Pace, p. 60, 61.