The Four-Year War, Boiotia, and the Exile of Demochares of Leukonoe

Abstract In light of the recent discussion by Rose, this paper aims to reconsider a notorious crux in the chronology of early Hellenistic Athens, namely the dating of the exile of Demochares of Leukonoe, nephew of Demosthenes and pivotal character in the political scene of the late fourth/early third century BCE. The paper presents new arguments in favour of the traditional chronology of the exile in 304/3; in particular, it demonstrates that the peace/truce/alliance with the Boiotians, which the honours for Demochares identify as one of the causes for his exile, followed an armed conflict between the two parties, and that this conflict should be identified with one of the clashes the Athenians faced during the Four-Year War (307/6–304/3). Finally, the paper explores the possibility of simultaneous exiles of Demochares and Kallias of Sphettos.