From Chremonides to Chaeronea: Demosthenes' influence in Later Athens

This paper offers a different perspective on Chremonides’ opposition to Antigonid rule and Athenian resistance in the Chremonidean War by considering the symbolism of Demosthenes’ statue in the city. Demosthenes’ strong anti-Macedonian line had ended in defeat at the battle of Chaeronea in 338. This he spun into a patriotic victory in his Crown oration: the Athenians had done the right thing in opposing Philip and followed in the tradition of their ancestors who fought the Persians for Greek freedom. His statue in 280/79, forty years after his death, called on the Athenians to continue doing the right thing by resisting Macedonian rule. Against this background, and despite continuing odds against them, the Athenians would always grasp any opportunity to fight for freedom and do the right thing (hence also their support for Mithridates against Rome in the 80s).