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Read about the evidence
Demosthenes (Dem. 18).
Aeschines (Aeschin. 1).
Aeschines (Aeschin. 1).
 
Plot on a Map
Amphipolis.
Thrace.
Phocis (in text as “Phocians”).

(1) Aeschines was an Athenian man, son of Atrometus and Glaucothea. Both of his parents were nobodies, according to Demosthenes; for he says that his father spent his life teaching school, while his mother spent hers performing purifications and carrying out certain unimportant religious rites.²⁰ (2) Even Aeschines himself relates that he was a tragic actor and a city secretary, which was an insignificant job. But later, he became one of the orators and served as an ambassador for peace to Philip. For the Athenians decided to send an embassy for peace to Philip when they were fighting him over Amphipolis and suffering terribly but getting nowhere with their efforts. (3) So they sent ten ambassadors, among whom were Aeschines and Demosthenes. When Philip accepted a truce, the same men conducted a second embassy, so that both sides might take oaths of peace. (4) With regard to these affairs, Demosthenes lays three accusations against Aeschines: first, that when Philocrates proposed and carried a disgraceful and inexpedient decree of peace, Aeschines spoke in his support. Second, that he squandered several opportunities, as result of which affairs in Thrace came to ruin. Third, that he reported lies to the Athenians, as a result of which the Phocians perished. For Aeschines (as Demosthenes relates) said that Philip would not destroy the Phocians, and you believed him and did not help them. In addition, he says that Aeschines did all these wicked deeds for pay and bribes. (5) The issue (stasis) of the speech is one of existence (peri ousias) [i.e., did the act occur?] and one in which the fact is in doubt (stochastike). The motivation for Demosthenes’ hatred is said to be Aeschines’ successful disfranchisement of Timarchus,²¹ a friend of Demosthenes. AeschinesAeschines accused Timarchus of leading a wicked life, because (as he claimed) this good-looking man Timarchus went to Pittalacus the bird-dealer’s house to watch cock-fights, a man who is both corrupted and a corrupter.²²

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— Notes —

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