The Funeral of Phocion. A.M. 3686

This is one of a group of drawings by British artist and book illustrator Edward Francis Burney, depicting scenes from Greek and Roman history and mythology. Phocion (about 402 - 318 BCE) was an Athenian statesman and general. He was accused of cooperating with the Macedonians, Greece's neighbours with whom they had a conflicted relationship. Ultimately, the Athenians convicted Phocion of treason, deposed him and executed him using poison. After his execution, the city decided to honour Phocion with a public burial and statue.