Polyeuctus (; – after 324 BC) was an Athenian orator and a political ally of his contemporary Demosthenes.Pseudo-Plutarch, "Demosthenes," in He belonged to the deme of Sphettus.
Life Polyeuctus was born in Athens, in the deme of Sphettus. He collaborated with Demosthenes in opposing the pro-Macedonian party and in convincing the people to make war on Philip II's Macedon. In 343–342 BC he accompanied Demosthenes on his embassy to the cities of the Peloponnese.Demosthenes, Philippics III.72.Pseudo-Plutarch, "Lycurgus," in In 324 BC he was impeached together with Demosthenes over the Harpalus affair.Dinarchus, Contra Demosthenes 100. In 321 BC he was ambassador to Arcadia.
Plutarch, reporting a statement by Aristo of Chios, writes that Polyeuctus once declared that Demosthenes was the greatest (μέγιστον) orator, but that it was Phocion who was the most influential (δυνατώτατον), since he conveyed the most meaning in the fewest words.
Polyeuctus was very corpulent, for which he was mocked by Phocion. The playwright Anaxandrides attacked his love of luxury. The orations of Polyeuctus are mentioned by AristotleAristotle, Rhetoric, III.10.7. and Diogenes Laertius;Diogenes Laertius, Lives of the Philosophers, VI.2. and a fragment of an oration against Demades has been handed down by Apsines.
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