268  sqq.  This  is  the  oration  given  below.  It  is  valuable  for  the  political
situation  of  that  time.
THE   SECOND  OLYNTHIAC

(i)  On  many  occasions,  men  of  Athens,  one  may  see  the  kind-
ness of  the  gods  to  this  country  manifested,  but  most  signally,  I
think,  on  the  present.    That  here  are  men  prepared  for  a  war

*  The  god  of  the  river  of  the  same  name.
'  Greek  prostata,  offidab  whose  function  is  unknown.
402  HELLENIC  INTERSTATE  RELATIONS

with  Philip,  possessed  of  a  neighboring  territory  and  some  power,
and  (what  is  most  important)  so  fixed  in  their  hostility,  as  to  re-
gard any  accommodation  with  him  as  insecure,  and  even  ruinous
to  their  country ;  this  really  appears  like  an  extraordinary  act  of
divine  beneficence.  (2)  It  must  then  be  our  care,  Athenians,  that
we  are  not  more  unkind  to  ourselves  than  circumstances  have
been ;  as  it  would  be  a  foul,  a  most  foul  reproach,  to  have  abandoned
not  only  cities  and  places  that  once  belonged  to  us,  but  also  the
allies  and  emergencies  provided  by  fortune.
