Oratory in Polybius’ Histories
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 23404072 |
|---|---|
| Authors | John Thornton (0000-0003-2312-8042, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2013 |
| Pages | 20-42 |
| Publication date | 2013-05-16 |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | CHAPTER |
| Venue | Hellenistic Oratory Continuity And Change (SOURCE_BOOK) |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199654314.003.0002 |
| OpenAlex | W2506639948 |
| ISBN | 9780199654314 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
This chapter explores the evidence for oratory in Polybius' Histories and stresses the prominent role given to speeches. It distinguishes three types of speeches current in Polybius' world: deliberative speeches addressed to assemblies and councils, pre-battle exhortations by a general to his troops, and ambassadors' speeches which reflect the vibrant diplomatic activity between Hellenistic poleis and federal states. Despite the comparative lack of evidence in the Histories for forensic oratory, it emphasizes that the way Polybius makes his characters speak corresponds to the guidelines given for conducting prosecution and defence cases in rhetorical theory. The centrality of oratory in public life reminds us that the study of rhetoric was intended to train the youth of the upper classes to be effective orators; that is, to become men like Polybius, whose own activity as an orator brings the diplomacy of the Hellenistic period to life.
Ancient history · Art · Battle · Centrality · Diplomacy · Linguistics · Literature · Political science · Politics · Rhetoric · Rhetorical question · Classical Antiquity Studies · Classics · History · Law · Organic Chemistry Synthesis Methods · Philosophy
| Citations per year | 0.1 |
|---|---|
| Citation span | 2016 - 2016 (1) |
| Highly cited | No |