Ήρωες (fr. 14)

131

call Aristomedes a thief. Satyrus was a highly skilled actor, credited with training
Demosthenes in speech delivery (hypokrisis); cf. Plu. Dem. 7.4.* * 139 It is possible,
therefore, that Timocles is here referring to an onstage attack by Satyrus against
Aristomedes, which would have become emblematic on account of this actor’s
masterly delivery. We may go a step further and assume that it was Demosthenes,
Satyrus’ student, who inspired theatre performers to launch the attack. This sug-
gestion is supported by considerable evidence from the Fourth Philippic (D. 10.73),
a speech which belongs in early 341 (see the discussion above). In this speech the
orator, using the rhetorical figure of apostrophe, calls Aristomedes a thief by family
tradition: τοϋθ’ ούτως έχει· σοι μέν γάρ ήν κλέπτης ό πατήρ, εϊπερ ήν όμοιος σοί.
This passage must have been especially famous, since Hermogenes (Inv. 195 Rabe
and Id. 261,15 Rabe) cites it as a model of circular composition (κύκλος).140 This
rhetorically colored formulation was well tailored to the impressive delivery with
which Demosthenes himself was credited.141 It is also noteworthy that Plutarch,
in a context where he comments on Demosthenes’ inventiveness, ascribes to him
a wordplay again combining Aristomedes’ nickname Chalkous with his reputation
as a thief: Life of Demosthenes 11.4-6 ύμεΐς δ’ ώ άνδρες Αθηναίοι μη θαυμάζετε
τάς γινομένας κλοπάς, όταν τούς μέν κλέπτας χαλκούς, τούς δε τοίχους πήλινους
έχωμεν; see Gibson 2002, 122. We may therefore suspect that, by ridiculing
Aristomedes, Timocles is here parodying Demosthenes’ rhetorical skills on stage,
in a manner that would have been especially effective if Satyrus had impersonated
Demosthenes. In this way Timocles kills two birds with one stone. He both satiri-
zes Demosthenes’ theatrical anti-Macedonian warlike policy, and at the same time
denigrates Aristomedes, whose conduct is a discredit to pro-Macedonian rhetoric.
1 Έρμης δ’ ό Μαίας This formula never occurs in Homer, but is often used
in drama; cf. E. Med. 758; Andr. 274; El. 461; fr. 223.66 Kannicht; cf. ό Μαίας παϊς
(A. Ch. 812; E. Rh. 215; S. El. 1394);Έρμής ό Μαίας λίθινος (Eub. fr. 95). Hermes
appears as an agent of the gods in Aristophanes’ Peace and Wealth. He is also often
mentioned in different contexts (e. g. Av. 572-3; Ra. 1140,1144). For his traditional
features see Roscher, “Hermes” in Roscher-Ziegler 1.2 (1890) 2373-6, and under
“Interpretation” and below, on συνδιακτορεΐ.
ταύτα See above, under “Interpretation”.

scholars accept that this speech is authentic. For the authenticity of this speech and the
relevant discussion see Hajdu 2002, 44-8; MacDowell 2009, 354-5.
139 Other sources, however, report that Demosthenes’ teacher on this matter was Androni-
cus ([Plu.] Vit. dec. or. 845a-b; Quint. Inst. or. 11.7.3).
140 For a rhetorical analysis of the passage see Hajdu 2002, 425- 438.
141 Cf. [Plu.] Vit. dec. or. 845b; Dem. 7.6. Demosthenes’ hypokrisis is once more - at least
- parodied by Timocles, in the famous invocation μά γην, μά κρήνας, μά ποταμούς, μά
νάματα (fr. 41, a parody attributed by Athenaeus both to Timocles and Antiph. fr. 288)
reminiscent of the orator’s famous oath of the Marathon fighters (D. 18.208 μά τούς
Μαραθώνι προκινδυνεύσαντας τών προγόνων).