Authority and History: Ancient Models, Modern Questions

This book explores the concept of authority in discourse from ancient to modern historians, highlighting how it has evolved and been subverted in the contemporary world through online uses and outreach displays. It emphasizes the importance of the reader's role in shaping the authority of historical claims.

Format: Hardback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 12 January 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This book delves into the concept of authority in discourse, spanning from ancient to modern historians, while also highlighting contemporary subversions of the classical rhetorical ethos. Ancient rhetoric established the rules of authority in discourse, significantly influencing the claims of Greek and Roman historians to truth. These principles were further solidified in modern tradition, although they underwent modifications. In the contemporary world, the authority of authors is challenged in numerous ways, with audiences playing a pivotal role. How have the ancient claims to authority evolved and transformed from their original contexts to our post-modern, digital era? The online presence and outreach displays of the classical past, particularly through social media, have reshaped the traditional balance of authority, underscoring the significance of the reader's role alongside that of the writer. This book explores the evolution of authority in discourse, from ancient to modern historians, while also highlighting contemporary subversions of the classical rhetorical ethos. Ancient rhetoric established the principles of authority in discourse, significantly influencing the claims of Greek and Roman historians to truth. These principles were further consolidated in modern tradition, although they underwent modifications. In the contemporary world, the authority of authors is challenged in numerous ways, with audiences playing a pivotal role. How have the ancient claims to authority evolved and transformed from their original contexts to our post-modern, digital era? The online presence and outreach displays of the classical past, particularly through social media, have reshaped the traditional balance of authority, underscoring the significance of the reader's role alongside that of the writer.

Weight: 480g
Dimension: 164 x 242 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350269446