Editing Demosthenes (section)

====Delivery of ''On the Crown''====
{{See also|On the Crown}}
{| class="toccolours" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 2em; font-size: 85%; background:#c6dbf7; color:black; width:30em; max-width: 40%;" cellspacing="5"
| style="text-align: left;" | "You stand revealed in your life and conduct, in your public performances and also in your public abstinences. A project approved by the people is going forward. Aeschines is speechless. A regrettable incident is reported. Aeschines is in evidence. He reminds one of an old sprain or fracture: the moment you are out of health it begins to be active."
|-
| style="text-align: left;" | Demosthenes (''On the Crown'', 198)—In ''On the Crown'' Demosthenes fiercely assaulted and finally neutralised Aeschines, his formidable political opponent.
|}
Despite the unsuccessful ventures against Philip and Alexander, most Athenians still respected Demosthenes, because they shared his sentiments and wished to restore their independence.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=A history of Greece, Volume 12|last=Grote|first=George|publisher=John Murray|year=1856|location=London}}</ref> In 336&nbsp;BC, the orator Ctesiphon proposed that Athens honour Demosthenes for his services to the city by presenting him, according to custom, with a golden crown. This proposal became a political issue and, in 330&nbsp;BC, Aeschines prosecuted Ctesiphon on charges of legal irregularities. In his most brilliant speech,<ref name="Tsatsos301">K. Tsatsos, ''Demosthenes'', 301; "Demosthenes". [[Encyclopaedia The Helios]]. 1952.</ref> ''On the Crown,'' Demosthenes effectively defended Ctesiphon and vehemently attacked those who would have preferred peace with Macedon. He was unrepentant about his past actions and policies and insisted that, when in power, the constant aim of his policies was the honour and the ascendancy of his country; and on every occasion and in all business he preserved his loyalty to Athens.<ref name="Cr321">Demosthenes, ''On the Crown'', [[s:The Public Orations of Demosthenes/On the Crown#18:321|321.]]</ref> He finally defeated Aeschines, although his enemy's objections, though politically-motivated,<ref name=":0" /> to the crowning were arguably valid from a legal point of view.<ref name="Duncan">A. Duncan, ''Performance and Identity in the Classical World'', 70.</ref>