ELENA WALTER - KARYDI. THE GREEK HOUSE The rise of noble houses in Late Classical times. ATHENS , , 1994.

In the middle years of the fourth century BC, as the kingdom of Macedonia was increasing in might, the orator Demos- thenes struggled to stir his fellow Athenians to action against the expansionist policy of Philip II. He reminded them repeatedly of their former glory, adding in commendation of their illustrious forbears: 'Such was their rank in the world of Hellas: what manner of men they were at home, in public or in private life, look round you and see.