An Athenian court finally hears the case of Aeschines versus Ctesiphon in 330, nearly six years after the original charges were filed.

Demosthenes is of course the real target, for Aeschines had accused Ctesiphon of making a false statement when he praised the orator's patriotism and public service.

In Demosthenes’ brilliant speech (On the Crown), he speaks so eloquently in Ctesiphon's defense that his lifelong rival loses the suit and is required to pay damages.

The discredited Aeschines leaves Athens for Rhodes, where he is said to have taught rhetoric.

Aristotle around 330 writes the Rhetoric, in which he treats the subject in a more systematic and theoretical fashion while employing traditional rhetorical methods.

He assigns priority to the orator's ability to invent arguments, to determine what is plausible in a given case; only then does he examine the strategy and verbal form of the plea.

Aristotle identifies three types of persuasive oratory: the oratory of the courtroom, of the public forum, and of the ceremony.

He then defines three means of persuasion: the appeal to reason (logos), the appeal to emotion (pathos), and the appeal of the speaker’s character (ethos).

The animal fables of Aesop begin to be collected in Greece.

Aristotle describes Aesop’s use of the tale of the fox and the hedgehog to defend a corrupt politician: a hedgehog asked a fox, ridden with fleas, if he could remove them.

“No,” replied the fox, “these fleas are full and will not suck much blood.

Remove them, and new, hungry fleas will replace them.”

Aesop supposedly appended the tale with an appeal to the jury: “So, gentlemen, should you put my wealthy client to death, others not rich will come along and rob you completely.”