Page:History of Greece Vol XI.djvu/478

 452 HISTORY OF GREECE. Athens, though hitherto the Byzantines had been disaffected to- wards her. But even these interests, important as they were, must be viewed only as parts of a still more important whole The Hellenic world altogether was in imminent danger; 1 over- ridden by Philip's prodigious military force ; torn in pieces by local factions leaning upon his support ; and sinking every day into degradation more irrecoverable. There was no hope of res- cue for the Hellenic name except from the energetic and well- directed military action of Athens. She must stand forth in all her might and resolution ; her citizons must serve in person, pay direct taxes readily, and forego for the time their festival-fund ; when they had thus shown themselves ready to bear the real pinch and hardship of the contest, then let them send round envoys to invoke the aid of other Greeks against the common enemy. 2 Such, in its general tone, is the striking harangue known as the third Philippic. It appears that the Athenians were now coming round more into harmony with Demosthenes than they had ever been before. They perceived, what the orator had long ago pointed out, that Philip went on pushing from one acquisition to another, and became only the more dangerous in proportion as others were quiescent. They were really alarmed for the safety of the two important positions of the Hellespont and Bosphorus. From this time to the battle of Choeroneia, the positive influence of Demosthenes in determining the proceedings of his country- men, becomes very considerable. He had already been employed several times as envoy, to Peloponnesus (344-343 B. c), to Ambrakia, Leukas, Korkyra, the Illyrians, and Thessaly. He now moved, first a mission of envoys to Euboea, where a plan of operations was probably concerted with Kallias and the Chal- kidians, and subsequently, the despatch of a military force to the same island, against Oreus and Eretria. 3 This expedition, commanded by Phokion, was successful. Oreus and Eretria were liberated ; Kleitarchus and Philistides, with the Macedonian troops, were expelled from the island, though both in vain tried to propitiate Athens. 4 Kallias, also, with the Chalkidians of Eu- boea, and the Megarians, contribut sd as auxiliaries to this success.' 1 Philippic iii. p. 118, 119. * Philippic iii. p. 129, 3 Demosth. De Coron&, p. 253. 4 Diodor. xyi. 74
 * Stephanas Byz, v. '