Greek orator (436-338 B.C.). No, not the philosopher -- this was a different guy.

Born in Athens, he suffered from a weak voice and stage fright, so he rarely made public speeches, but he wrote many great orations and published them as pamphlets. It is said that he often worked for years on a single speech.

He set up a famous school of oratory and rhetoric in Athens around 392 B.C.

Isocrates committed suicide in the most hardcore manner possible -- he starved himself to death two years before his 100th birthday. 

Today, 21 of his orations still exist. They are noted for his polished style and careful form.

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