Demades of Paeania (Δημάδης ὁ Παιανιεύς) was an Athenian orator and statesman of the 4th century BCE. Born in Paeania to a non-elite background, his political career began after he was captured at the Battle of Chaeronea in 338 BCE. His eloquent speech reportedly secured his release from King Philip II of Macedon, and he became a leading pro-Macedonian politician, serving as a key diplomat between Athens and the Macedonian monarchy under both Philip and Alexander the Great [1][2]. His career ended in disgrace; he was condemned for treason and executed around 319 BCE [1][2].

No authentic speeches by Demades survive. His reputation rests on fragments and witty apophthegms preserved by later authors like Plutarch [1][2]. All surviving works under his name, including a collection of twelve declamations and a lost work titled On the Twelve Years (Περὶ τῶν δώδεκα ἐτῶν), are considered later, spurious compositions [1][3].

Demades represents the pragmatic, accommodationist faction in Athens following the rise of Macedon. While often contrasted with Demosthenes, his diplomacy was credited with sparing Athens from severe retribution after the destruction of Thebes [1][2]. His complex legacy remembers him as both a savior of the city and a traitor.

Sources 1. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Classics: Demades (Oxford University Press): https://oxfordre.com/classics/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199381135.001.0001/acrefore-9780199381135-e-2096 2. Encyclopædia Britannica: Demades (Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.): https://www.britannica.com/biography/Demades 3. Perseus Digital Library: Demades, Fragments (Tufts University): http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.01.0070:chapter=1:section=1