Phocion (also called Phokion; c. 402 BCE – c. 318 BCE; nicknamed The Good) is an Athenian statesman and strategos, and the subject of one of Plutarch's Parallel Lives.
Phocion is a successful politician of Athens.
He believes that extreme frugality is the condition for virtue and lives in accord with this; consequently, he is popularly known as "The Good."
Further, people think that Phocion is the most honest member of the Athenian Assembly.
However, within this chamber, Phocion's tendency to strong opposition relegates him to a solitary stand against the entire political class.
Nonetheless, by both his individual prestige and his military expertise, which is acquired by the side of Chabrias, Phocion is elected strategos numerous times, with a record 45 terms in office.
Thus, during most of his 84 years of life, Phocion occupies the most important Athenian offices.
In the late 320s BCE, when Macedon gains complete control of Athens (under Antipater), though somewhat compromised, Phocion defends both the urban center and its citizens.
He even refuses to comply with some dishonorable requests of the enemy.
However, his stance puts Phocion in opposition to both most free Athenians and Polyperchon, the next ruler of Macedo, who arranges his execution in Athens.
