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Demetrius of Phalerum (also Demetrius of Phaleron or Demetrius Phalereus; ; c. 350 – c. 280 BC〔Tiziano Dorandi, ''Chapter 2: Chronology'', in Algra et al. (1999) ''The Cambridge History of Hellenistic Philosophy'', pages 49-50. Cambridge.〕) was an Athenian orator originally from Phalerum, a student of Theophrastus, and perhaps of Aristotle, himself, and one of the first Peripatetics. Demetrius was a distinguished statesman who was appointed by the Macedonian king, Cassander, to govern Athens, where he ruled as sole ruler for ten years, introducing important reforms of the legal system while maintaining pro-Cassander oligarchic rule. He was exiled by his enemies in 307 BC, and he went first to Thebes, and then, after 297 BC, to the court of Alexandria. He wrote extensively on the subjects of history, rhetoric, and literary criticism. ==Life== Demetrius was born in Phalerum, c. 350 BC. He was the son of Phanostratus, a man without rank or property.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 75; Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', xii. 43〕 He was educated, together with the poet Menander, in the school of Theophrastus.〔Strabo, 9.1.13〕 He began his public career about 325 BC, at the time of the disputes concerning Harpalus, and soon acquired a great reputation by the talent he displayed in public speaking. He belonged to the pro-oligarchic party of Phocion; and he acted in the spirit of that statesman. When Xenocrates was unable to pay the new tax on metics (foreign residents) c. 322 BC, and the Athenians threatened him with slavery, he was only saved (according to one story) when Demetrius purchased his debt and paid his tax.〔Diogenes Laërtius, iv. 14.〕 After the death of Phocion in 317 BC, Cassander placed Demetrius at the head of the administration of Athens. He filled this office for ten years, instituting extensive legal reforms. The Athenians conferred upon him the most extraordinary distinctions (almost all of which were revoked after his later expulsion from Athens), and no fewer than 360 statues were erected to him.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 75; Diodorus Siculus, xix. 78; Cornelius Nepos, ''Miltiades'', 6.〕 However, Demetrius was unpopular with the lower classes of Athenians and with pro-democratic political factions, who resented the limitations he placed on the democratic franchise and viewed him as little more than a pro-Macedonian puppet ruler.〔''Alexander to Actium'', by Peter Green. University of California Press, 1990.〕 According to Stephen V. Tracy, the story about the statues was not historical; also he argues that Demetrius later played a big role in the foundation of the Library of Alexandria.〔Stephen V. Tracy, (''Demetrius of Phalerum: Who was He and Who was He Not?,'' ) in "Demetrius of Phalerum", Rutgers University Studies in Classical Humanities IX (New Brunswick, NJ, 2000), pp. 331-345.〕 He remained in power until 307 BC when Cassander's enemy, Demetrius Poliorcetes captured Athens, and Demetrius was obliged to take to flight.〔Plutarch, ''Demetrius'' 8; Dionysius of Halicarnassus, ''Dinarchus'' 3.〕 It was claimed that during the latter period of his administration he had abandoned himself to every kind of excess,〔Athenaeus, vi., xii.; Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', ix. 9; Polybius, xii. 13.〕 and we are told he squandered 1200 talents a year on dinners, parties, and love affairs. Carystius of Pergamum mentions that he had a lover by the name of Diognis, of whom all the Athenian boys were jealous.〔Athenaeus, xii.〕 After his exile, his enemies contrived to induce the people of Athens to pass the death sentence upon him, in consequence of which his friend Menander nearly fell a victim. All his statues, with the exception of one, were demolished. Demetrius first went to Thebes,〔Plutarch, ''Demetrius'' 9; Diodorus Siculus, xx. 45〕 and then (after Cassander's death in 297 BC) to the court of Ptolemy I Soter at Alexandria, with whom he lived for many years on the best terms, and who is even said to have entrusted to him the revision of the laws of his kingdom.〔Aelian, ''Varia Historia'', iii. 17.〕 During his stay at Alexandria, he devoted himself mainly to literary pursuits, ever cherishing the recollection of his own country.〔Plutarch, ''De Exilio''〕 On the accession of Ptolemy Philadelphus, Demetrius fell into disfavour (he apparently supported the wrong candidate, Ptolemy Keraunos),〔Roger S. Bagnall, ("Alexandria: Library of Dreams". (PDF) ) ''Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society'' 146.4 (December 2002:348-362) p. 348〕 and was sent into exile to Upper Egypt, where he is said to have died of the bite of a snake.〔Diogenes Laërtius, v. 78; Cicero, ''Pro Rabirio Postumo'' 9.〕 His death appears to have taken place soon after the year 283 BC. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Demetrius of Phalerum」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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