Question 1

True or false: Demosthenes’ political speeches warning against Philip II of Macedon are called the Philippics.

Accepted Answer

True. His fiery Philippics urged Athenians to resist Philip’s expansion, later inspiring Cicero.

Question 2

True or false: Demosthenes delivered a series of speeches known as the Philippics, which attacked King Philip II of Macedon.

Accepted Answer

True. The Philippics were Demosthenes' famous orations urging Athens to resist Philip II's expansionism. This is a well-documented historical fact from ancient Greece.

Question 3

True or false: Demosthenes was a famous general who led Athens to victory in the Peloponnesian War.

Accepted Answer

False. He was an orator, not a general; the Peloponnesian War ended before his birth.

Question 4

True or false: Demosthenes was a close friend and ally of Alexander the Great.

Accepted Answer

False. He opposed Alexander’s father Philip and later was hunted by Alexander’s successors.

Question 5

True or false: Demosthenes died peacefully in his sleep at an old age.

Accepted Answer

False. He committed suicide by poison to avoid capture by Macedonian agents in 322 BC.

Question 6

True or false: Demosthenes invented the concept of a political filibuster in ancient Athens.

Accepted Answer

False. Filibusters are a modern parliamentary tactic; Demosthenes used long speeches but no such term existed.

Question 7

True or false: Demosthenes wrote a series of speeches known as the Philippics against Philip II of Macedon.

Accepted Answer

True. Demosthenes’ Philippics were iconic orations urging Athens to oppose Philip’s expansion.

Question 8

True or false: Demosthenes once fled a battle, dropping his shield, which was a major disgrace in Athens.

Accepted Answer

True. At the Battle of Chaeronea, he reportedly fled, earning lifelong mockery from rivals.

Demosthenes Trivia Questions