Menander Rhetor. Dionysius of Halicarnassus, Ars Rhetorica

This book provides instruction on how to compose epideictic (display) speeches for a wide variety of occasions, both public and private, from the reign of Diocletian (AD 285–312). It is attributed to Menander Rhetor of Laodicea and the Ars Rhetorica, and is derived from the schools of rhetoric that flourished in the Roman Empire from the second through fourth centuries AD in the Greek East. It offers a fresh translation, ample annotation, and texts based on the best critical editions.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 496 pages
\n Publication date: 10 June 2019
\n Publisher: Harvard University Press
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This comprehensive volume presents three rhetorical treatises, believed to have originated during the reign of Diocletian (AD 285–312), which offer invaluable guidance on crafting epideictic (display) speeches for diverse occasions, both public and private. Two of these treatises are attributed to Menander Rhetor of Laodicea in southwestern Turkey, while the third, commonly known as the Ars Rhetorica, is mistakenly attributed to the earlier historian and literary critic Dionysius of Halicarnassus. These treatises trace their origins back to the flourishing schools of rhetoric that thrived in the Roman Empire from the second to the fourth centuries AD in the Greek East. While significant examples of various genres of occasional prose were composed by notable figures such as Thucydides, Xenophon, Plato, and especially Isocrates in the fifth and fourth centuries BC, it was during the Second Sophistic in the second half of the second century AD that rhetorical prose truly blossomed, leading to the development of numerous forms as standard repertoire and serving as exemplars.

These treatises, distinctly Hellenic and deeply influenced by the prose and poetry of a venerable past, are directed toward aspiring orators who aspire to pursue civic careers, advocating for their city's interests before the Roman authorities and defending its Greek culture and heritage with eloquence. They provide a fascinating glimpse into the literary culture, educational values, and social concerns of these Greeks under Roman rule, encompassing both public and private spheres. These treatises exerted a profound influence on later literature, spanning both pagan and Christian traditions.

In this edition, we present a fresh translation, accompanied by extensive annotations, and based on the most reliable critical editions. By delving into these treatises, readers gain a deeper understanding of the art of rhetoric and the rich cultural heritage of the Greeks during the Roman era.

\n Weight: 352g\n
Dimension: 119 x 169 x 22 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780674997226\n \n