Oratory and Power: Jedi of the Greco-Roman World

3 credits · Undergraduate

The ancient art of oratory was an art of mind-control. In politics, in law, in love, success depended on the skillful use of rhetoric to persuade neutrals, rally friends, and demolish enemies. In this class, we will explore the historical development of Greek and Roman oratory, study the actual techniques ancient speakers employed both in phrasing and in argument, consider the causes of the decline of oratory in antiquity itself, and compare ancient oratory to oratory in our modern world. (No knowledge of ancient Greek or Latin is required.) FORMATS: Lecture | Tutorial | Discussion