Portrait of Demosthenes, Athenian Statesman

Demosthenes was a prominent Greek statesman and orator of ancient Athens. His orations constitute a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual prowess and provide an insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at the age of 20, in which he argued effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance. For a time, Demosthenes made his living as a professional speech-writer (logographer) and a lawyer, writing speeches for use in private legal suits.德摩斯梯尼（Demosthenes）是古希腊雅典地区声名卓著的政治家与演说家。其演说作品不仅集中展现了同时代雅典的学术才智与思想造诣，更为研究公元前4世纪的古希腊政治与文化提供了关键视角。德摩斯梯尼通过研习前代伟大演说家的演讲文稿，系统掌握了修辞技艺。他在20岁时发表了首次司法演说，在演说中有力地主张从监护人手中索回属于自己的剩余遗产。曾有一段时期，德摩斯梯尼以职业演说撰稿人（logographer）与律师为业，为私人法律诉讼撰写专用演说稿。