Meidias

Meidias, an Athenian of significant wealth and influence during the 4th century BC, was a bitter rival of Demosthenes, a prominent orator. Their conflict began in 361 BC when Meidias violently broke into Demosthenes' house with his brother Thrasylochus to seize it. This act led Demosthenes to accuse Meidias of verbal insults (kakegoria), but after Meidias failed to fulfill his obligations following condemnation, Demosthenes filed another legal case (dike exules) against him. Meidias managed to delay the resolution for eight years.

In 354 BC, the conflict escalated when Demosthenes voluntarily took on a choregia, a public role that Meidias sought to undermine in every way. Tensions further rose when Demosthenes opposed Meidias' ally, Plutarch, a tyrant of Eretria, who had requested aid against Callias and Taurosthenes of Chalcis. The breaking point occurred during the Dionysia festival, where Meidias violently attacked Demosthenes. This incident allowed Demosthenes to accuse Meidias publicly, leading him to compose "Against Meidias," a speech that remains extant today.

Despite this, the two parties eventually reached an amicable settlement, sparing Demosthenes from pronouncing his case for thirty minae (a sum of money). The text highlights their intense rivalry and the legal and personal stakes involved in their conflict.