Lysias (c. 459–c. 380 BC)

Greek orator, born in Syracuse, Sicily. He settled in Athens 412 BC, escaping from the city into exile under the Thirty Tyrants 404 BC, and returning when democracy was restored a year later to impeach one of the tyrants in his speech Against Eratosthenes. His speeches were expressed in a plain, clear style and provide evidence of the political and social upheaval following the coup. Of the 800 speeches known in antiquity, 23 survive intact.