In 343 BC, the Macedonian arms were carried across Epirus and a year later Philip II of Macedon turned his military activities toward Thrace.
When the Macedonian army approached the Chersonese, the Athenians became concerned about the future of this region.
An Athenian general, Diopeithes, ravaged the maritime district of Thrace, which angered Philip.
The King sent a letter of reprimand to Athens, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Athenian troops from Cardia, which was occupied by the Macedonian army.
With this speech Demosthenes exhorted, and finally convinced, his compatriots to support Diopeithes, although the general had previously committed certain injustices and was in exile.