caused the greatest alarm at Athens. Demosthenes was immediately
dispatched to Thebes, where he succeeded, by what appear to have been
liberal and judicious proposals, in making an alliance between Thebes and
Athens, in spite of the attempts of Philip's envoys to counteract his
influence. Euboea, Megara, Corinth, and other members of the league also
sent help. Philip himself called upon his own friends in the Peloponnese
for aid, and at last moved towards Amphissa. Demosthenes seems now to have
succeeded in applying the festival-money to purposes of war, and with the
aid of Lycurgus, who became Controller of the Festival Fund, to have
amassed a large sum for the use of the State. At the Dionysia of 338 he
was again crowned, on the proposal of Demomeles and Hypereides. The allies
at first won some successes and refortified some of the Phocian towns, but
afterwards unfortunately divided their forces, and so enabled Philip to
defeat the two divisions separately, and to destroy Amphissa. Philip's
proposals of peace found supporters both in Thebes and in Athens, but were
counteracted by Demosthenes. Late in the summer of 338, the decisive
battle was fought at Chaeroneia, and resulted in the total rout of the
allies. Demosthenes himself was one of the fugitives. Philip placed a
Macedonian garrison in Thebes, restored his exiled friends to power there,
established a Council of Three Hundred, and (through them) put to death or
banished his enemies. He also gave Orchomenus, Thespiae, and Plataeae
their independence. After a moment of panic, the Athenians, led by
Demosthenes, Lycurgus, and Hypereides, proceeded to take all possible
measures for the defence of the city, while private munificence supplied
the treasury. Demosthenes himself superintended the repair of the
fortifications, and went on a mission to secure a supply of corn. But
Philip, instead of marching upon Athens, sent a message by Demades, whom
he had taken prisoner at Chaeroneia; and the Assembly, in reply,
instructed Demades, Aeschines, and Phocion to ask Philip to release his
Athenian prisoners. Philip released them without ransom, and sent