(390-315 BC)
Orator from Attica whose family lost everything and had to go into exile when the Thirty Tyrants took power in Athens. When they returned his father got a job as a teacher, and Aeschines himself earned a living as an actor at an early age.
When the Macedonians did conquer Athens, Demosthenes had has friend Timocrates accuse Aeschines of receiving bribes from Philip II. Aescines won the court case, though, by accusing Timocrates of an indecent lifestyle.
When the Assembly wanted to honour Demosthenes with a golden wreath, Aeschines saw his chance to get back at his old enemy, and virtuald a suit against the honours. Unfortunately for him, though, he lost the case, and was forced into exile when he could not pay the 1000 drachma fine.
Until his death he worked as a teacher of rhetorics and died on Rhodes at the age of 75. Only three of his speeches have survived to this day.
