Meidias (rhetorician)

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Meidias , son of Kephisodoros from Anagyros , was a rhetorician in Athens in the 4th century BC. He was born around 400 BC. BC, he died before 330 BC. Chr.

Meidias was a wealthy citizen of Athens and belonged to the circle of friends around Eubulus , to which he was also politically close. Meidias became known for his actions during the choir preparations for the Dionysus festival in Athens in 348 BC. In that year Meidias was engaged in the direction of a choir as well as Demosthenes . However, there were incidents (e.g. damage to the choir robes) in Demosthenes' choir, which Meidias later accused of. Meidias, who had already caused a sensation through angry appearances at the popular assembly, hit Demosthenes in the face during a performance. Reasons for this were possibly controversial positions in the question of the foreign policy action against Macedonia as well as an ongoing libel suit of Demosthenes against Meidias. The action of Meidias was condemned in the popular assembly at the request of Demosthenes. In the following time there should have been reconciliation offers, but also counterclaims by Meidias. Demosthenes, on the other hand, wrote his speech against Meidias (No. 21), which, however, was never presented due to an out-of-court settlement. In 340/39 BC Meidias was elected representative of Athens in the Amphictyon Council Delphis .

literature

personal data
SURNAME Meidias
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Attic politician
DATE OF BIRTH 4th century BC Chr.
DATE OF DEATH 4th century BC Chr.