Dialogues Concerning Eloquence

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Isocratis Opera Omnia Graecè et Latinè

by Isocratis

Isocratis Opera Omnia Graece et Latine
George Wythe bookplate.jpg
Title not held by The Wolf Law Library
at the College of William & Mary.
 
Author Isocratis
Editor
Translator
Published Parisiis: F.A. Didot
Date 1782
Edition
Language
Volumes volume set
Pages
Desc.


Isocrates (436-338 BCE) was an ancient Greek rhetorician who made significant contributions to the field of rhetorical persuasion through his teachings and writings. He was born into a wealthy family and received an elite education.[1] However, following the Peloponnesian War, his family lost their wealth and Isocrates was forced to find a way to support himself.[2]

Isocrates began his career as a courtroom speech writer, and around 392 BCE he decided to set up his own rhetoric school.[3] During that time, Athens had no set curriculum for higher education. Isocrates spoke out against the predominant Sophist method of education and was able to establish himself as an influential teacher.[4] His school did not focus on the political debate techniques that were central to the Sophist approach to education; instead, the school focused on oratory studies, composition, history, citizenship, culture, and morality.[5] It was Isocrates' approach to education that formed the basis for the modern conception of Liberal Arts

Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library

See also

References

  1. Thomas W. Benson and Michael H. Prosser, "Isocrates," in Readings in Classical Rhetoric (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1969)
  2. Ibid.
  3. Patricia P. Matsen, "Isocrates Against the SophistsTranslated by George Norlin" in Readings From Classical Rhetoric (Carbondale: Southern Illinois University Press, 1990)
  4. Ibid.
  5. Ibid.

External Links

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