The Alexandrian "Canon of Ten" Greek Orators
There were ten Greek orators who were selected by Aristophanes of Byzantium and Aristarcus of Samothrace as the best Attic orators and speech writers of classical Greece (5th century BCE–4th century BCE). The work of these ten orators inspired the later rhetorical movement of Atticism, an approach to speech composition emphasizing a simple rather than flowering oratory style (Asiatic).
- Aeschines (390-322 BCE) was an important Athenian political figure. He was first an ally of Demosthenes and then a bitter enemy. Three of his speeches remain. All are concerned with major public issues.
- Andocides (440-380 BCE) is best known for his part in the scandal of 415 BC when he was accused of mutilating some statues of the God Hermes.
- Antiphon (480-411 BCE) wrote forensic speeches for others. He was tried for treason and was executed. He speeches that remain concern homicide. He also wrote imaginary exercises for his students so that they could learn how to argue on both sides in a debate.
- Demosthenes (384-322 BCE) was considered to be the best orator of his time. He combined different rhetorical styles. He wrote speech for others, for his own use in court, and for arguing for Athens opposing Philip of Macedon. He wrote 40 speeches which have been preserved. He is said to have cured his own speech problem through voice and tongue exercises.
- Dinarchus (360-290 BCE) was a metic (noncitizen of Athens) who was born in Corinth but lived in Athens. He wrote speeches for others and was especially known for his speeches accusing Demosthenes of bribery.
- Hypereides (389-322 BCE) was a political leader and speech writer. He spoke against Philip and Alexander and was condemned to death after Athens’ surrender.
- Isaeus (420-353 BCE) wrote speeches on different topics. Eleven which survive were arguments for inheritance rights for his clients.
- Isocrates (436-338 BCE) was a philosopher, educator, and speech writer. He argued for negotiating with Philip of Macedon. He formed a school that attracted pupils from all over Greece.
- Lycurgus (390-325 BCE) was a public official who brought charges of corruption against others.
- Lysias (458-380 BCE) was a metic (noncitizen) of Athens. He was a speech-writer whose speeches cover a wide range of topics. He was known for the vivid character depiction in his stories and his clear and vivid prose style.
Plutarch’s Lives of Ten Orators: http://www.attalus.org/old/orators1.html Retrieved January 28, 2010.
Worthington, Ian (1994) The canon of the ten Attic orators’, in Persuasion: Greek Rhetoric In Action (pp. 244-263), NY: Routledge.