Reputation of Ancient Orator Demosthenes

The force of the wind and elements that this figure has to brace himself against well represent the reputation of the Ancient Greek orator Demosthenes. Greeks and Romans described him as someone who fought against the destiny he seemed to have inherited to become one of the most skillful speech-makers of all time. Born in Athens in 384 BCE, Demosthenes wanted to become a statesman from an early age, but had a speech impediment that gave his voice “a perplexed and indistinct utterance and shortness of breath.” (Plutarch) Some modern historians think he had “rhotacism,” which is when someone can’t make the “r” sound properly. In order to overcome his disability, Demosthenes would go over the top with corrections – he put pebbles in his mouth and made himself recite speeches while exercising, and he deliberately practiced speaking by the seashore so that he had to make his voice louder than the waves. Totally successful in his training, Demosthenes became a leading statesman, leaving the following wisdom: when someone asked him what were the three most significant things about making an effective oration, Demosthenes replied “Delivery! Delivery! Delivery!” (Quote from Cicero).