Demosthenes (c. 384–322 BC)

A marble bust of Demosthenes, considered one of the major orators of classical Greece. His voice and awkward manner did not help Demosthenes in his chosen career at first, but legend has it that he improved his speaking voice by filling his mouth with pebbles and raising his voice above the sound of the sea.

Athenian politician, famed for his oratory. From 351 BC he led the party that advocated resistance to the growing power of Philip of Macedon, and in his Philippics, a series of speeches, incited the Athenians to war. This policy resulted in the defeat of Chaeronea in 338 BC, and the establishment of Macedonian supremacy. After the death of Alexander he organized a revolt; when it failed, he took poison to avoid capture by the Macedonians.

Demosthenes

Athenian general in the Peloponnesian War. He was the commander of an expedition in 425 BC that effectively destroyed the power of Corinth over northwestern Greece. Along with Nicias, he took part in the Sicilian expedition 415 BC and was captured in an attack on Syracuse and executed by the Syracusans 413 BC.