The choice of the first Philippic and the three Olinthian speeches as the beginning of a series of editions of Demosthenes' speeches was not accidental. It was dictated by the following reasons: the first Philippic (350/49 BC) addresses the Macedonian issue and refers to the relations between Athens and Philip. From this point on, this would be the problem not only of Athenian but also of all Greek politics; this concern will occupy Demosthenes throughout his political career, and all his future public speeches will refer to it.

The three Olinthian speeches continue Demosthenes' politics on the Macedonian issue. They were delivered in the summer of 349 BC. Both the first Philippic and the three Olinthian speeches impress with the consistency of the speaker's political stance.