Phocion was an Athenian politician and general. He was considered the most useful public figure of his time—just, honest, brave, selfless, and a democrat. His only shortcoming was his difficulty convincing others with his words.
However, this did not prevent him from being elected general 45 times, an unprecedented achievement in Athens. Nor did his role as a leader of the pro-Macedonian faction prevent him from fighting against the Macedonians on several occasions.
Phocion’s Early Education and Military Beginnings
According to Plutarch, Phocion’s origin was not humble, as various predecessors claimed. He studied under Plato and Xenocrates, forming an excellent character early on. Plutarch adds that when he was young, Phocion attached himself closely to Chabrias the general, from whom he profited greatly in military experience. He writes:
”Wherefore Chabrias, who was a good-natured and worthy man, made much of him and advanced him to enterprises and commands, making him known to the Greeks, and employing him in most affairs of moment. Especially in the sea-fight off Naxos he conferred no little name and fame upon Phocion. For he gave him command of the left wing. Here the battle raged hotly and the issue was speedily decided. Accordingly, as this was the first sea-fight which the Athenians had fought with the Greeks on their own account since the capture of their city, and as it had succeeded, they made exceeding much of Chabrias, and came to look upon Phocion as a man fit for command. They won the victory during the celebration of the great mysteries. Therefore Chabrias used to furnish the Athenians with wine for the festival every year on the sixteenth of the month Boëdromion.”
Phocion’s Military Achievements
Having been taught the Platonic moral way of living and being a truly virtuous man, he adopted a Socratic way of life. Both in Athens and on his campaigns, he always walked barefoot and without a garment, unless the cold was excessive and hard to bear. His soldiers even jested that it must be severe winter whenever Phocion wore a cloak.
In 376 BCE, the naval battle of Naxos took place, where the Athenians defeated the Lacedaemonians for the first time since the disaster at Aegospotami, thereby regaining maritime sovereignty. Phocion’s contribution, commanding the left wing under Chabrias, was decisive. His name became celebrated, and the city began to see him as a future leader.
In 349 BCE, when Philip II’s troops invaded Euboea and installed tyrants, Phocion was sent to counter them. Despite the small force at his disposal, as well as betrayals and desertions, he managed to defeat the opponents at Tamynae in 348, capture the fortress of Zaritra, strategically positioned at the island’s narrowest point, and arrange matters favorably for Athens.
Phocion’s Strategic Leadership
In 342, Phocion organized aid to Megara, bringing it into alignment with Athens. In 341, he campaigned once more in Euboea.
When Philip attacked the Hellespont in 339 BC, the Byzantines sought assistance from Athens. The orators and demagogues initially appointed the unreliable Chares as general. However they soon convinced the people that they mistakenly sent help. Phocion then addressed the Athenians, saying they should not blame their allies for a lack of confidence but rather the generals who failed to inspire it.
The municipality reconvened and dispatched Phocion to the Hellespont, where he successfully saved Byzantium. Philip withdrew and Phocion continued his operations with success until they wounded him and returned to Athens.
Political Philosophy and Conflict with Demagogues
On the eve of the Battle of Chaeronea (338 BCE), the city elected other generals to lead in the war. Upon his return, he addressed the Assembly, urging them to accept the peace treaty offered by Philip. A demagogue scolded him for advocating peace when the Athenians had already taken up arms. Phocion replied, “Yes, I dare, though I know that in war I would rule over you, while in peace you would rule over me.”
After the catastrophic outcome of the Battle of Chaeronea, Phocion struggled on two fronts. One against agitators who wished to continue the war under the leadership of the adventurer-general Charidemus. The other against Demades, leader of the pro-Macedonian faction, who advocated signing a blank treaty. Phocion successfully thwarted Charidemus’ plans, but Demades ultimately prevailed. The municipality soon regretted its decisions after realizing the unaffordable terms.
Phocion’s integrity and relationship with Alexander
After Macedonians established control over Greece, Phocion maintained relations with Macedonian leaders. Alexander respected him so greatly that he sent him a gift of one hundred talents. When the bearers brought this sum to Athens, Phocion asked why among so many Athenians, Alexander offered it to him. They replied, “Because Alexander judges you alone to be a man of honor and worth.” Phocion then answered, “In that case, let him allow me to remain as I am and be thought of as such always.”
The messengers continued urging him to accept the money. According to Plutarch, Phocion, seeing a poor old man on the street in a worn cloak, asked the bearers if they considered him inferior to this man. “Heaven forbid!” they cried. “Yet,” said Phocion, “this man has less to live on than I and finds it sufficient. In short, if I make no use of this large sum, it will do me no good to have it. But if I use it, I may bring both myself and the king under the reproaches of the citizens.”
The aftermath of Alexander’s death
With the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BCE, anti-Macedonian orators and soldiers incited the people to revolt. According to Diodorus Siculus, Phocion remarked, ‘If he is dead today, he will be dead tomorrow and the day after tomorrow. So let us decide calmly.’ Despite this, the Athenians chose to wage war.
The Athenians voted Leosthenes general of the war, leading to constant conflicts with Phocion and the anti-Macedonian orators. To Hyperides, who asked when he would finally advise the Athenians to fight, Phocion responded, ‘When the wealthy begin to contribute, and the orators stop embezzling public funds.’
Phocion’s leadership and the Lamian War
Although Phocion opposed the Lamian War, he took command when the Macedonians landed at Rhamnus and began looting the Attican shores. After the Athenian defeat, Phocion successfully persuaded Antipater to exile only the secondary anti-Macedonian leaders to the Peloponnese, rather than deporting them beyond Greece, between Tainarus and the Ceraunian Mountains, as initially planned.
However, when Phocion requested that Antipater not place a Macedonian garrison in Munychia, Antipater asked if he could guarantee the Athenians would not revolt again. Phocion was speechless, to which Antipater replied, ‘We wish to grant you, Phocion, every favor except those that would destroy both you and us.’
Exemplary leadership and personal sacrifice
According to Plutarch, Phocion exemplified outstanding leadership during Antipater’s lifetime. He managed to recall many exiles, governed with fairness, judged people on merit, and pacified rebels.
Remarkably, he grew old in poverty, repeatedly rejecting monetary gifts from the Macedonian garrison’s commander and resisting Antipater’s behind-the-scenes pressures.
The trial of Phocion
During the conflict between Polyperchon and Cassander, Polyperchon’s son, Alexander, arrived in Attica, bringing exiles with him. Phocion met Alexander and advised him not to surrender the fortresses to the Athenians before a confrontation with Cassander. The orator Agnonides then accused Phocion and other oligarchs of treason.
After Alexander’s death, anti-Macedonian forces in Athens prompted the democratic faction to send an embassy to Polyperchon, accusing Phocion and the oligarchs. Both accusers and accused met with Polyperchon in Phocis, where he demonstrated hostility by executing one of Phocion’s companions and interrupting Phocion repeatedly, even ordering him to be silent. Despite a letter from Polyperchon’s son advocating for leniency, Phocion and his associates were sent back to Athens for a trial, the outcome of which was already decided, according to Plutarch.
In early May 318 BCE, Phocion was brought to trial in the Theater of Dionysus. The new democratic leaders filled the audience with foreigners, slaves, and even women. A letter from King Philip Arrhidaeus declared the accused traitors. However he left the final decision to the Athenians, who were now “free and autonomous.” The indictment accused Phocion and his allies of enslaving Athens and destroying democracy after the Lamian War.
Trial and execution of Phocion
At the sight of Phocion, honorable citizens turned away, lowering their heads in tears. When one man suggested that foreigners and slaves should leave, the crowd shouted, “Down with the oligarchs and half-breeds!” Phocion attempted to speak, but his words were drowned out until he finally managed to ask, “Do you wish to kill us justly or unjustly?” The crowd responded, “Justly!” Phocion replied, “And how will you do so without hearing us?” The noise continued, overpowering his voice.
Phocion then pleaded, “I admit that I deserve death, but why would you kill my companions, who have not wronged you?” The response was simply, “Because they are your friends.” Several individuals rose to defend him, but they too were silenced.
Finally, it was time to decide Phocion’s fate. Some suggested torturing the accused before executing them, but Agnonides, leading the trial, rejected this as barbaric. Observing the disturbance of the Macedonian officer present, he said, “For Phocion, I propose no such thing,” and a voice from the crowd added, “Right! For if we torture Phocion, what should we do to you”? Ultimately, Phocion and four others were sentenced to death by a show of hands, while those who managed to escape were condemned in absentia.
Execution and Legacy
As Phocion was led to prison, the crowd jeered. Yet his expression remained as calm as when he served as general. He instructed his son, Phocus, not to harbor resentment against the Athenians. When it was time to drink the hemlock, none remained for Phocion. The executioner demanded money to procure more. Phocion asked a friend to cover the cost, remarking, “One cannot even die in Athens without paying.”
Later, the Athenians repented. They erected a bronze statue of Phocion and gave him a public burial. His wife initially buried his bones secretly, but later, officials interred them at public expense. The trial’s leader, Agnonides, received a death sentence and faced execution.
Phocion’s legacy as an Athenian statesman and Philosopher parallel to Socrates
Phocion was both a general and an orator who lived by Socratic principles. His gentle and just nature was evident in his interactions with others. Even with opponents, he emobdied Socrates’ belief that a just man benefits even his enemies. Noone ever saw Phocion laughing, crying, bathing in public baths, or dressing luxuriously. In military campaigns, like Socrates, he marched barefoot and lightly clad, only wearing a cloak in harsh winters.
Phocion aimed to restore the ancient governance of Solon, Aristides, and Pericles, where leaders combined political wisdom with martial valor. Like Socrates, he sought to merge the philosopher’s intellect with the warrior’s spirit. His death, marked by the tragedy and regret that followed, reminded the Greeks of Socrates. Both in the injustice done to him and the misfortune it brought to Athens afterward. Because of his achievements and virtue, he was named the ”Good”(Christos).
