On the Navy
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On the Navy ( Greek: Περί τῶν Συμμοριῶν) is the first political oration of the prominent Athenian statesman and orator Demosthenes. It was delivered in 354 BC and constitutes one of the initial political interventions of Demosthenes.
On the Navy is a speech of general interest, which provided Demosthenes an opportunity to be an advocate for common sense. Ecclesia had convened to consider a rumored threat against Athens by the King of Persia. The orator espoused moderation and did not endeavor to rouse the hot-blooded ones of his audience against the Persians.[1] He advocated the avoiding of any provocation, but he also proposed a well-organised preparation in case of war. For this reason he supported the reform of "symmories"(boards), a summary system funding the Athenian fleet.[2]
In his first political intervention the young politician did not succeed his goals. In terms of artistic value, On the Navy is regarded as inferior to his following political orations.
[edit] Notes
| Demosthenes' orations | |
| Political orations | Olynthiacs 1-2-3 | First Philippic | On the Peace | Second Philippic | On the Halonnesus | On the Chersonese | Third Philippic | Fourth Philippic | Reply to Philip | Philip | On Organisation | On the Navy | For the Megalopolitans | On the Liberty of the Rodians | On the Accession of Alexander |
|---|---|
| Judicial orations | On the Crown | On the False Embassy | Against Leptines | Against Meidias | Against Androtion | Against Aristocrates | Against Timocrates | Against Aristogiton 1-2 | Against Aphobus 1-2-3 | Against Ontenor 1-2 | Against Zenothemis | Against Apatourius | Against Phormio | Against Lacritus | For Phormio | Against Pantaenetus | Against Nausimachus and Xenopeithes | Against Boeotus 1-2 | Against Spudias | Against Phaenippus | Against Macartatus | Against Leochares | Against Stephanus 1-2 | Against Evergus and Mnesibulus | Against Olympiodorus | Against Timotheus | Against Polycles | On the Trierarcic Crown | Against Callipus | Against Nicostratus | Against Conon | Against Callicles | Against Dionysodorus | Against Eubulides | Against Theocrines | Against Naeara |
| Epideictic orations | Funeral Oration | Erotic Essay |
