A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Ἀγνωνίδης), an Athenian demagogue and sycophant, a contemporary of Theophrastus and Phocion. The former was accused by Agnonides of impiety, but was acquitted by the Areiopagus, and Theophrastus might have ruined his accuser, had he been less generous. (D. L. 5.37.) Agnonides was opposed to the Macedonian party at Athens, and called Phocion a traitor, for which he was exiled, as soon as Alexander, son of Polysperchon, got possession of Athens. Afterwards, however, he obtained from Antipater permission to return to his country through the mediation of Phocion. (Plut. Phoc. 29.) But the sycophant soon forgot what he owed to his benefactor, and not only continued to oppose the Macedonian party in the most vehement manner, but even induced the Athenians to sentence Phocion to death as a traitor, who had delivered the Peiraeeus into the hands of Nicanor. (Plut. Phoc. 33, 35; Corn. Nep. Phoc. 3.) But the Athenians soon repented of their conduct towards Phocion, and put Agnonides to death to appease his manes. (Plut. Phoc. 38.)

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