Portrait of Demosthenes

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This statue was acquired in 1898, cast from a Roman marble found in the Vatican, but stylistically very similar to the Glyptotek's statue of Demosthenes. The original Greek version (now lost) was created by the sculptor Polykleitos around 40 years after Demosthenes' death in 322 BC. Demosthenes took his own life when Macedonians demanded he be extradited for speaking out against their supremacy over Greece, being a critic of Alexander the Great. Demosthenes advocated the maintenance of democracy against all forces, thereby gaining lasting significance through many centuries that passed after his death. Demosthenes was a Greek statesman and orator from ancient Athens. His speeches demonstrate a significant expression of contemporary Athenian intellectual power and provide insight into the politics and culture of ancient Greece during the 4th century BC. Demosthenes learned rhetoric by studying the speeches of previous great orators. He delivered his first judicial speeches at age 20, arguing effectively to gain from his guardians what was left of his inheritance.