The World of Tacitus' Dialogus de Oratoribus
Aesthetics and Empire in Ancient Rome
- English
- PDF
- Available on iOS & Android
The World of Tacitus' Dialogus de Oratoribus
Aesthetics and Empire in Ancient Rome
About this book
Coming to terms with the rhetorical arts of antiquity necessarily illuminates our own ideas of public discourse and the habits of speech to which they have led. Tacitus wrote the Dialogus at a time (ca. 100 CE) when intense scrutiny of the history, the definitions, and the immediate relevance of public speech were all being challenged and refashioned by a host of vibrant intellects and ambitious practitioners. This book challenges the notion that Tacitus sought to explain the decline of oratory under the Principate. Rather, from examination of the dynamics of argument in the dialogue and the underlying literary traditions there emerges a sophisticated consideration of eloquentia in the Roman Empire. Tacitus emulates Cicero's legacy and challenges his position at the top of Rome's oratorical canon. He further shows that eloquentia is a means by which to compete with the power of the Principate.
Frequently asked questions
- Essential is ideal for learners and professionals who enjoy exploring a wide range of subjects. Access the Essential Library with 800,000+ trusted titles and best-sellers across business, personal growth, and the humanities. Includes unlimited reading time and Standard Read Aloud voice.
- Complete: Perfect for advanced learners and researchers needing full, unrestricted access. Unlock 1.4M+ books across hundreds of subjects, including academic and specialized titles. The Complete Plan also includes advanced features like Premium Read Aloud and Research Assistant.
Please note we cannot support devices running on iOS 13 and Android 7 or earlier. Learn more about using the app.
Information
Table of contents
- Cover
- Half title
- Title
- Copyright
- Dedication
- Contents
- Preface and acknowledgments
- Abbreviations, texts, and translations
- Introduction Rhetorical beginnings and rhetorical ends
- 1 The Dialogus and its contexts
- 2 Interpretations
- 3 Interstitial strategies and reading around the speeches
- 4 A world of eloquentia
- 5 An aetiology of contemporary eloquentia
- 6 From de Oratore to de Oratoribus
- 7 Literary criticism and history: Cicero, Horace, and Quintilian in the Dialogus
- Conclusion
- Appendix: Detailed outline of Tacitus’ Dialogus de Oratoribus
- Bibliography
- General index
- Index locorum