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188 ANCIENT GREECE. [CUA.P. xin.in his own behalf as the accuser of his faithless guardians ;from whom, however, he was able to rescue onlya" smallpart of his patrimony. 2 In his next attempts, insulted bythe multitude, though encouraged by a few who anticipatedhis future greatness, he supported an obstinate contest withhimself, till he gained the 3victory over his own nature.He now appeared once more as an accuser in public prosecutions/ before he ventured to speak on the affairs of thestate. But in the very first of his public speeches 5 we seethe independent statesman, who not dazzled by a splendidproject, opposes a vast undertaking. When Philip soon afterdisplayed his designs against Greece by his interference inthe Phocian war., he for the first time appeared against thatmonarch in his first Philippic oration, 6 From this periodhe had found the greatbusiness of his life. Sometimes ascounsellor, sometimes as accuser, sometimes as ambassador,he protected the independenceof his country against theMacedonian policy. Splendid success seemed at first toreward his exertions. He had already won a number ofstates for Athens; 7 when Philip invaded Greece, he hadalready succeeded not only in gaining over the Thebans,but in kindling their enthusiasm 8;when the day of Chaeroneadashed his hopes to the earth. 9 But he courageouslydeclares in the assembly of the people, that he still does notrepent of the counsels which he had given. 10An unexpectedincident changes the whole aspect of things.Philip falls thex1Iti the orations against Aphobus, Op.ii. Reisk.2 Plutarch, iv. p. 700.8Many stories came subsequently to be told about it; but the story of thepebble-stones which he put in his mouth, rests on the testimony of DemetriusPhalereus, who had heard it from the orator himself. Plut iv, p. 709, Thesame is true of various other particulars.4Against Androtion, Timocrates, and others. He was then 27 years oldPlut. p. 717-fiIn the oration of the cru/tjuoptai, or classes, pronounced in the year 354B. C. He opposed an offensive war against the Persians, for which theAthenians were ready, in the hope of effecting a general union of the Greeks.Here we already find the maxim, which formed the theme of his subsequentorations, as of the speeches of Chatham; To stand on one's own feet6Pronounced in the year 352.*Achaia, Corinth, Megara, and others. Plut. iv. p. 720.8Plut. iv. p. 722. A leading passage respecting his political activity.9In the Jyear 338 B. C.10, Plut. iv. p. 726. His enemies even then endeavoured to attack him, butin vain. The people assigned to him the funeral oration on those who fell*t Chasronea ;and by this did honour to him. and to themselves