HYPERI'DES, an Athenian orator, one of the ten comprised in the Alexandrian canon; the contemporary of Demosthenes. After studying philosophy under Plato. and oratory under Isoerates, he began his public career as an advocate in the Athenian courts of justice, and joined the patriotic party, at that time led by Demosthenes and Lycurgns. He fitted out two triremes at his own expense for the Euhrean expe dition of B.C. 358. His whole public life, for the next 20 years, was spent in devising means of resistance to the growing power of Macedonia. In 338 B.C., when the dis astrous fight of Clurronea laid Grecs& at the mercy of Philip, Hyperides proposed that the citizens should send their wives and children to places of security, and tight it out to the last. Though this desperate advice was not taken, its genuine patriotism was appreciated and rewarded by his countrymen. When the death of Philip revived the hopes of the anti-Macedonian faction, Ilvperides promoted the alliance with Thebes; and after the destruction of that city by Alexander, was one of the orators demanded of the Athenians by the young victor. Alexander, however, did not press his demand, and Hyperides continued to oppose the Macedonian influence as strongly as ever. The arrival in Athens of Harpalus, the run-away treasurer of Alexander, then absent on his eastern conquests, disturbed the friendly relation that had hitherto subsisted Ilyperides and Demosthenes. Harpahis had embezzled 5.000 talents of the public money, with
which he endeavored to organize a party for himself among the Athenians. It was believed that, among others, Demosthenes had yielded to his bribes and specious stories. and Hyperides was selected to prosecute his ancient friend. This led to a rupture, which was not healed for some time. In the Irunia» war, which followed the death of Alexander, Hyperides took a leading part; and when it was Mought to a close, spoke the funeral oration over his countrymen who had perished in battle. This oration was looked upon as a masterpiece by the ancients. The following year (me. 322) saw the hopes of Athens finally crushed at the battle of erannon. The chiefs of the patriotic party sought safety in 'flight. Hyperides was overtaken at yEgina by the minions of Antipater, and put to death. Seventy-five orations were attributed to Ilvperides; but a third of these were rejected as spurious by the ancients themselves Westermann has preserved the titles of sixty-one of these in his _Ms./0/y rf Greek Oratory.