HYPERIDES

born 390 BC died 322 Athenian orator who led his city into the Lamian War (323), the final struggle of Athens against Macedonian domination. A member of a wealthy family, Hyperides is thought to have been a pupil of Plato and of Isocrates. He began his career as a forensic speech writer. From 346 to some time before 324, Hyperides supported the anti-Macedonian statesman Demosthenes, but he was one of the 10 public prosecutors at Demosthenes' trial for embezzlement (323). During the Lamian War, Hyperides led the patriotic party, and after the Athenian defeat in Thessaly he was captured and put to death by the Macedonian general Antipater. Of the 77 speeches attributed to this orator, only 6 survive, in fragments: Against Philippides (winter 336335), For Lycophron (333), For Euxenippus (c. 330), Against Athenogenes (after 330), Against Demosthenes (323), and a funeral oration (322).