INTRODUCTION

To the Fourth Philippic

SOON after the preceding oration (The Third Philippic) the Athenian succors arrived at Euboea. Demosthenes had proposed the decree for them; and the command was given to Phocion, whom the Athenians gladly employed on all extraordinary emergencies, and who was always ready to serve them, at the same time that he highly condemned their conduct.

Demosthenes attended Phocion, not in a military character, but to endeavor to gain over the people of Euboea to the Athenian interest; in which he had some success; while the general, on his part, acted with so much conduct and resolution, that the Macedonians were forced to abandon the island; and the Euboeans entered into a treaty of alliance with Athens.

In the mean time Philip marched along the Hellespont, to support his fleet then in view, and to prevent Diopithes from cutting off his provisions. When he had crossed the isthmus of the Chersonesus he returned, and by a forced march arrived with the choice of his army at Cardia, where he surprised Diopithes, and defeated him in an action in which that general fell. This he affected to consider, not as an open breach of his treaty, but only as the consequence of the protection he had granted to the Cardians, and an act of particular revenge he had determined to take on Diopithes.

Philip then joined his army, and encamped before Perinthus, a place considerable by its commerce and situation, ever firm to the Athenians, and consequently dreadful and dangerous to Philip. The Perinthians defended themselves with a courage almost incredible, and which, it appeared, could not be abated by danger or fatigue. Philip, on his part, pressed them by all the methods of assault; and, after many vigorous efforts on each side, when the city was just on the point of being taken by assault, or of being obliged to surrender at discretion, fortune provided for it an unexpected succor.

The fame of Philip’s army having alarmed the court of Persia, Ochus sent his letters mandatory to the governors of the maritime provinces, directing them to supply Perinthus with all things in their power: in consequence of which they filled it with troops and provisions. While the Byzantines, justly conceiving their own turn would be next, sent into the city the flower of their youth, with all other necessaries for an obstinate defence.

The Perinthians, thus reinforced, resumed their former ardor; and as all they suffered was on account of Athens, they despatched ambassadors thither to demand the speedy and effectual assistance of that state. On this occasion Demosthenes pronounced the following oration.