Eubulus (statesman)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eubulus, or Euboulos (c.405 - c.335 BC) was a statesman of ancient Athens, probably the most important of the period 355-342 and notable for his focus on Athenian finances.

Eubulus' early life is unknown, save that he was from the Anaphlystus deme. With Diophantus of Sphettus as his patron, he became a Theoric Commissioner, gradually took control of the finances of the city, and is credited with bringing a degree of prosperity not seen in many years. Xenophon's De Vectigabalus probably exaggerates his methods, but for instance a law making it difficult to use public money for minor military operations ensured that a surplus was available for public works.

Eubulus was generally considered a member of the "peace party", in opposition to Demosthenes. Eubulus attempted to preclude Philip of Macedon's intervention in Greek affairs by forming a Common Peace, in which effort Eubulus was joined by Meidias, Aeschines, and Phocion. The results of his policy included an expedition to Thermopylae in 352, an intervention in Euboea in 348. Even so, after the failure to unite the Greeks, he went along with the peace of 346 negotiated by Demosthenes and Philocrates.

When Demosthenes wanted to renew the war after Philip went into Phocis, Eubulus and his supporter argued for peace, but from 344 on, Eubulus' influence was waning, and by 342 Demosthenes' party was in control. After the Battle of Chaeronea no more is heard of Eubulus.

Athenian statesmen | Ancient Greece
Aeschines - Agyrrhius - Alcibiades - Andocides - Archinus - Aristides - Aristogeiton - Aristophon - Autocles
Callistratus - Chremonides - Cimon - Cleisthenes - Cleophon - Cleon - Critias
- Demades - Demetrius Phalereus - Demochares - Democles - Demosthenes
Ephialtes - Eubulus - Hyperbolus - Hypereides - Laches- Lycurgus - Lysicles
Miltiades - Moerocles - Nicias - Peisistratus - Pericles - Philinus - Phocion - Themistocles
Theramenes - Thrasybulus - Thucydides - Xanthippus