O Kata Ktesiphontos [= Against Ctesiphon]; O Peri Stephanus Logos [= Against Stephanus]

Aeschines; Demosthenes

Published by E Typographeo Clarendoniano [= From the Clarendon Press], Oxonii [= Oxford], 1715

About this Item

8vo. [17], 2-182, [18] pp. Contemporary calf, spine in six compartments with a black morocco label lettered in gilt on the spine; all edges sprinkled red. With three full-page portraits (one of Cicero, one of Demosthenes, and one of Aeschines), and an engraving on the title page. Latin translation (done underneath the Greek text) and glossary by P. Foulkes and J. Freind. Dibdin 487. Moss 386. Oxford Classical Dictionary, 25-26; 456-458. Foulkes and Freind's first edtion of Aeschines and Demosthenes was published in 1696, this is the second edition of their arrangement of the Greek and their Latin translation. Dibdin cites the helpful glossary as key to the book's success. Aeschines' and Demosthenes' speeches taken together shine a light on the relations of Athens and Macedon in the 340s and 330s. The two orators fought it out via speeches in the Boule (the Athenian democratic assembly), and took different opportunities to attack one another with words. In "Against Ctesiphon" Aeschines takes the time to criticize the career of Demosthenes. The authorship of "Against Stephanus" is disputed, but in comparing the two speeches the reader can contrast Aeschines' style to that of Demosthenes. Aeschines is praised for his effective use of vocabulary and poetry in his speeches, and to this day Demosthenes is regarded as the greatest Athenian orator on record. Demosthenes' arguments for Greek liberty and his use of historical anecdotes frequently swayed his fellow citizens to his cause. Joints and corners with notable rubbing, a name (appears to be early 19th-century) and two bookplates (one armorial, of Reverend I. Lodington) on the front pastedown. Seller Inventory # 000011722

Bibliographic Details

Title: O Kata Ktesiphontos [= Against Ctesiphon]; O...

Publisher: E Typographeo Clarendoniano [= From the Clarendon Press], Oxonii [= Oxford]

Publication Date: 1715

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Near Very Good

Edition: Second edition.