Demosthenes

Demosthenes was the first historical person of note on whom we have any concrete evidence. He was widely held to be the most respected orator and statesman of his time, and even today his speeches have a large impact on the education of those looking to go into law or studying oration themselves.
Demosthenes, son of Demosthenes was born 384 or 383 BCE in Athens, Greece. He was named after his father, a wealthy sword-manufacturer and cabinet-maker, who died when he was seven. Not much is known about his mother, other than she was very careful of her son's fragile health and she was speculated to be the daughter of Gylon and a barbarian.
When his father died, a large inheritance of about fifteen talents was left to him, but the guardians of
During the long years while he trained his mouth, he learned history and grammar by reading Thucydides' history of the Peloponnesian War, studied common diction and speech patterns by interacting with Athenians he met every day, and made money by conducting the dreaded job of logographer.
As soon as he felt he was able, Demosthenes started attending the Assembly, and made more and more orations as he gained opinions on certain political subjects. He is credited with having made at least thirty-nine decrees – though they were not generally accepted until he stopped making speeches. He was also extremely vocal in his hatred of Philip II, believing a war to be perfectly justified, and, indeed, necessary.
At every opportunity, Demosthenes travelled through Greece, inciting his countrymen against the invading Macedonians. He spoke among the Thebans, convincing them to join them against Philip, and made many allies in all the countries surrounding Athens. His enemies in Athens, already hating him for doing what they could not, called him under suspicion because one of his followers had put him up for an award he could not rightly – or legally – receive. He argued the people down from their indignation, refused the award and nomination and successfully out-debated his