Putting forth all the power of his eloquence, he demanded resolute action against Philip and called for a burst of energy from the Athenian people. Macedon and Athens were already de facto belligerent parties, since the Athenians were financing Diopeithes, who was launching attacks against allied cities.
He used his eloquence to call for a strong response from the Athenians, as they were already at odds with Philip's forces due to Athenian funding of Diopeithes' attacks on allied cities.