DEMADES (c. 38o-318 B.c.)  , Athenian orator and demagogue . He was originally of humble position, and was employed at one time as a common sailor, but he rose partly by his eloquence and 1 Held by Franz Delitzsch, Dillmann and Lenormant . partly by his unscrupulous character to a prominent position at Athens . He espoused the cause of Philip in the war against Olynthus, and was thus brought into bitter and life-long enmity with Demosthenes,whom he at first supported . He fought against the Macedonians in the battle of Chaeroneia, and was taken prisoner . Having made a favourable impression upon Philip, he was released together with his fellow-captives, and was instrumental in bringing about a treaty of peace between Macedonia and Athens . He continued to be a favourite of Alexander, and, prompted by a bribe, saved Demosthenes and the other obnoxious Athenian orators from his vengeance . It was also chiefly owing to him that Alexander, after the destruction of Thebes, treated Athens so leniently . His conduct in supporting the Macedonian cause, yet receiving any bribes that were offered by the opposite party, caused him to be heavily fined more than once ; and he was finally deprived of his civil rights . He was reinstated (322) 011 the approach of Antipater, to whom he was sent as ambassador . Before setting out he persuaded the citizens to pass sentence of death upon Demosthenes and his followers, who had fled from Athens . The result of his embassy was the conclusion of a peace greatly to the disadvantage of the Athenians .

In 318 (or earlier), having been detected in an intrigue with

Perdiccas, Antipater's opponent, he was put to death by Antipater at Pella, when entrusted with another mission by the Athenians . Demades was avaricious and unscrupulous; but he was a highly gifted and practised orator . A fragment of a speech (Rep' &JSEKa.erlas), bearing his name, in which he defends his conduct, is to be found in C . Mailer's Oratores Attici, ii . 438, but its genuineness is exceedingly doubtful .