Political Speech in Ancient Athens

The Greeks		\| The Greeks \| The Romans \| Other Civilizations \| Index \|
Mare Nostrum Political Speech in Ancient Athens By D. Porter		RHETORIC IN ATHENS Political speech in Athens played a key role in developing Athenian government and philosophy. Athenian politics was either influenced or developed by different techniques of public speaking under a political forum. Education in Athens consisted of mandatory schooling for boys too young for the military (Robinson139). However men in politics were usually both wealthy and well educated. The democracy of ancient Athens is responsible for the development of rhetoric in a political forum. The spread of this method of speech can be contributed to the likes of: Plato Socrates Aristotle Protagarus The most popular form of speech in Athens was rhetoric. Rhetoric is defined as an effective way to convey a message. However, it is the eloquence of speech involved that makes it such a popular art form (Jancar 32). USES OF RHETORIC IN ANCIENT ATHENS as a teaching method in schools during elections political debates by citizens' presenting their case to a jury oral and written story telling All over ancient Athens people interpreted different methods of rhetoric to fit their own individual purposes. Rhetoric is the concept that speeches, if presented properly, could evoke any desired emotion. It was used to teach future lawyers and politicians the art of logic and persuasion (Jancar 32). In the courts the accused would represent themselves. They put this theory to action when they used it to convince juries of their innocence. Also politicians used rhetoric as a persuasive technique to better their chance of success.
Public Speech was a part of everyday life in Ancient Athens By D. Porter		PERSUASION OR TRUTH Of all the wars of ancient Athens, the one that stands out as the most beneficial to western society was not a physical battle but rather a match of wits. It has been said, "When truth and justice fail through inefficient advocates, the skilled rhetorician will set this right . . . " (Sinclair xxxv). The founder of rhetoric as a science is said to be Corax of Syracuse. His development of rhetoric as an art and then a science established rhetoric as an artful and clever skill in persuasion. Because rhetoric is the theory or practice of eloquence it is not limited to simple oration: it is also a writing technique. Both the oral and written forms were considered tools in the art of persuasion. Rhetoric was thought of as an art because it allowed men to express themselves through more than just facts and solid knowledge but also through emotions.
A philosopher By D. Porter		SOCRATES' RHETORIC A strong believer in profound thought was Socrates. Socrates taught a technique in the use of rhetoric called dialectic syllogism. Dialectic syllogism is the pursuit of truth through a series of questions. Socrates believed that if one asked the correct question the absolute truth could be found. Socrates teachings propelled the careers of many: rhetoricians orators statesmen fellow philosophers His technique later became known as the Socratic method. In all of his works, philosophical ideas were advanced, discussed, and criticized in the context of a conversation or debate. The most technical approach to rhetoric emphasizes persuasion rather than uncovering the truth. Even Socrates was influenced by rhetoric to the point that he was taken for a Sophist, a mix-up that would play a key factor in his execution trial.
The steps of Athenian temples were used to give many public speeches By D. Porter		PLATO AND ARISTOTLE'S RHETORIC According to reasearch found at www.gatech.edu.com the battle between Sophists and socratic students proved one of the best displays of rhetoric ever. Plato criticized the Sophists through his writings. His works were an excellent example of the socratic use of rhetoric. He emphasized the winning of his argument both by persuasive use and by distribution of the truth. Aristotle followed closely in his mentor Plato's footsteps. In his writings "[Aristotle] . . . addresses style, diction, metaphor, and arrangement, but he basically ignores the other canons of rhetoric" (Dickson 1). Aristotle used written rhetoric to state his ideas on government and his method of political speech, analytic speech. Analytic speeches are works that deductively form principles resting on experience and precise observations. Aristotle disagreed with Plato's belief that dialectic was the only proper form of communication. THE SOPHISTS The most prominent technicians of political speech were the Sophists. The Sophists were philosophers and teachers of rhetoric. The first of the Sophists was Protagoras. He made a study of language and taught his pupils the art of persuasion and negotiating (Jancar 16). It has been stated, "The Sophists, with their influence of rhetoric and the power of persuasion, transformed the concept of truth" ( Mardner 1). Although they did not create rhetoric, the Sophists' method of systematized education made it widespread throughout Athens as an effective form of political speech. The difference between the Sophists and Socrates was their views on absolute truth. Although Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle based their rhetoric searching for and convincing the public of the truth, the Sophists based theirs on convincing the public of whatever there was to prove. The Sophists believed there was no absolute truth--therefore the truth was whatever one chose to make of it. Aristotle once said, " . . . one who acts in accordance with a sound argument, and one who acts in accordance with moral purpose, are both called rhetoricians" (qtd. in Sinclair 15). An Interesting Fact An example of the effectiveness of rhetoric would be the fact that the Sophists eventually fell subject to their own teachings. Their popularity was seriously wounded through Plato's crushing criticism in his writings Gorgias, Paedrus, and Sophist. Both Plato and Aristotle condemned them for accepting money from those whom they taught their methods. THE EFFECTS Later the Sophists were accused by the state of lacking morality. Plato's disagreement with the teachings of the Sophists is best described in the statement: "[He] had a profound belief in the superiority, for all speaking and writing, of true knowledge and sincere utterance to mere opinion and misleading statement . . . " (Sinclair ). Aristotle later followed his mentor's use of rhetoric by criticizing the Sophists in his prose and speeches. Soon the title "Sophist" acquired a derogatory meaning, as in the word sophistry, which means false argumentation or reasoning. Through studying rhetoric and political speech in Athens it becomes apparent that these language skills were so effective in government that all of its great teachers could not avoid involvement in politics. Though Socrates did not like to get involved in politics he influenced government through his students who used rhetoric in politics and in philosophy. Plato found an outlet for his aversion toward the Athenian government. Aristotle used rhetoric as a tool in teaching his famous pupil Alexander the Great. A LESSON FROM THE PAST Rhetoric has proven a great theory and subject in Athenian culture, and has affected the greatest minds of ancient Greece. The use of rhetoric in government was popular because many people believed that truth was naturally superior to its opposite, therefore this method would bring forth the truth and allow a fair and just trail. Although this did not always occur it was a revolutionary concept of how the judicial system of any country, or city-state, should be run. There is no question that political speech in Athens improved or at least empowered the government. However it is the impact that government had on the rest of the world that makes it so important. The structure of many modern governments can be traced back to Athens. And in the structure of many judicial systems proof of rhetorical theories and techniques can be found. Without rhetoric a number of societies, including America, would not be what they are today had it not been for the great ideas conceived by the great minds of Athens. Works Cited Dickson, Ellen. "Aristotle." Georgia Institute of Technology (1995). Online. 3 Nov.1999 <http://www.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/terms/sophism.html> Franklin, Georgianna. "Sophist." Georgia Institute of Technology (1996). Online. 3 Nov. 1999 <http://www.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/terms/sophism.html2>. Jancar, Barbara. The Philosophy of Aristotle. New York: Monarch Press, 1966. Jebb, R. C. The Attic Orators. New York: Russell & Russell, 1962. Keuls, Eva C. The Reign of the Phallus; Sexual Politics in Ancient Athens. New York: Harper, 1985. Marder, David. " Sophist " Georgia Institute of Technology (1995). Online. 3 Nov.1999 <http://www.gatech.edu/gallery/rhetoric/terms/sophism.html#1> Roberts, Rhys W. Greek Rhetoric and Literary Criticism. New York: Cooper Square, 1963. Robinson, C. E. Everyday Life in Ancient Greece. New York: AMS Press, 1933. Sinclair, T. A. Aristotle: The Politics. Baltimore: Penguin, 1964. History and Thought of Western Man Rich East High SchoolPark Forest, IL 60466 This page was created by D. Porter. Last revised 3/29/00.* \| The Greeks \| The Romans \| Other Civilizations \| Index \|