Religious Discourse in Attic Oratory and Politics

The book analyzes the use of religious discourse in Ten Attic Orators, focusing on how it intersects with political, legal, and civic institutions to shape polis identity and the construction of an imagined community. It explores the cognitive/emotional and physical/sensory reactions of speakers and audiences when religious stimuli are provided, contributing to the construction of civic and political identity in classical Athens.

Format: Hardback
Length: 164 pages
Publication date: 30 October 2020
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book delves into a comprehensive analysis of various aspects of religious discourse in the transmitted forensic, symbouleutic, and epideictic orations of the Ten Attic Orators, a collection of 151 speeches that mark the pinnacle of ancient public speaking and persuasion. Serafim's primary focus lies in exploring how the interplay between religious discourse and the political, legal, and civic institutions of classical Athens contributes to shedding new light on the construction of polis identity and the formation of an imagined community in three distinct institutional contexts: the law court, the Assembly, and the Boule. This community serves as a unifying force for its members, defining the decision-making processes and practices that shape their collective identity.

After conducting a thorough survey of the consistently and recurrently employed features of religious discourse in Attic oratory, Serafim contextualizes and elucidates the specific patterns of religious discourse employed in particular oratorical contexts. He examines the constraints or opportunities that these contexts impose on the speaker, thereby exploring the cognitive, emotional, and physical/sensory reactions of both the speaker and the audience when religious stimuli are presented in orations. This exploration further contributes to understanding how religious discourse shapes civic and political identity in classical Athens.

Religious Discourse in Attic Oratory and Politics holds immense appeal to scholars engaged in the study of classical Athens, particularly its legal institutions, ancient rhetoric, and ancient Greek religion and politics. The book offers valuable insights into the complex interplay between religious beliefs, oratory techniques, and the political and social dynamics of ancient Athens, providing a rich tapestry of knowledge for those interested in this captivating period of history.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 160 x 241 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138570863