The Funeral Speech

Of necessity it happens, when a battle takes place,[*](The particular reference is to the battle of Chaeronea, 338 B.C., where the Greeks were defeated by Philip of Macedon.) that the one side is beaten and the other victorious; but I should not hesitate to assert that in my judgement the men who die at the post of duty on either side do not share the defeat but are both alike victors. For the mastery among the survivors is decided as the deity disposes, but that which each was in duty bound to contribute to this end, every man who has kept his post in battle has done. But if, as a mortal being, he meets his doom, what he has suffered is an incident caused by chance, but in spirit he remains unconquered by his opponents.[*](Blass notes this sentiment in Dem. 18.208, and in Isoc. 4.92. It is subsidiary to the recognition of the supremacy of the deity, fate or fortune, Dem. 18.192, Dem. 18.207, Dem. 18.208. To commemorate the valor of the fallen Thebans a monumental seated lion was erected facing in the direction of the enemy. It is still extant.)