Phocion

For in that case the war will be at a long remove; but wherever men are defeated every terror is close at hand. But when the defeat came,[*](In 338 B.C., at Chaeroneia, where Philip defeated the allied Greeks and put an end to their independence.) and the turbulent and revolutionary spirits in the city dragged Charidemus to the tribunal and demanded that he be made general, the best citizens were filled with fear; and with the aid of the council of the Areiopagus in the assembly, by dint of entreaties and tears, they persuaded them at last to entrust the city to the guidance of Phocion.

In general, Phocion thought that the policy and kindly overtures of Philip should be accepted by the Athenians; but when Demades brought in a motion that the city should participate with the Greeks in the common peace and in the congress,[*](The Congress of Greek states summoned by Philip to meet at Corinth. It voted for war against Persia under the leadership of Philip.) Phocion would not favour it before they found out what demands Philip was going to make upon the Greeks.