Demosthenes

American  

[dih-mos-thuh-neez] / dɪˈmɒs θəˌniz /

noun

1. 384?–322 b.c., Athenian statesman and orator.

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Demosthenes British  

/ dɪˈmɒsθəˌniːz /

noun

1. 384–322 _bc , Athenian statesman, orator, and lifelong opponent of the power of Macedonia over Greece

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Demosthenes Cultural  

1. The greatest orator of ancient Greece. Demosthenes is said to have overcome a childhood stutter by forcing himself to speak with pebbles in his mouth. He delivered speeches called Philippics attacking King Philip of Macedon, who was an enemy of Demosthenes' city of Athens (see also Athens).

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Example Sentences

Demosthenes Torres, one of Torres' lawyers, confirmed the arrest to Reuters.

From Reuters • Jan. 14, 2023

Two years ago, the Getty quietly acquired a tiny ancient amethyst, less than an inch high, masterfully engraved with a bust of bearded Athenian statesman Demosthenes, brow furrowed and eyes set.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 6, 2021

For a time, he practiced speaking with rocks in his mouth, an anti-stuttering tactic he picked up from Demosthenes, the ancient Greek orator.

From Washington Post • Jan. 12, 2021

He cited, for example, sources that trace the use of the gesture to ancient Greece, when it was used by Strepsiades to insult Aristotle and by Diogenes to insult Demosthenes.

From New York Times • Jan. 4, 2013

Cicero and Quintilian, for instance, both regarded the Greek orators in general—and Demosthenes in particular—as unfunny.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith