{"id":16,"date":"2025-08-12T19:54:43","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T19:54:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/historyofrhetoric\/?p=16"},"modified":"2025-09-05T16:38:55","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T16:38:55","slug":"chapter-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/historyofrhetoric\/chapter-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

Chapter 2<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The Origins and Early History of Rhetoric<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Chapter Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Sophists of ancient Greece played a role in developing the art of rhetoric, and thus in developing democracy. The major Sophists\u2014Hippias, Protagoras, Gorgias, Lysias\u2013were active in Athens between about 450 and 380 BCE. These provocative and innovative rhetoricians had a surprising influence on Greek life and thought. Sophists emphasized the centrality of persuasive discourse to civilized, democratic societies, and appreciated the power of language. The Sophists\u2019 theoretical explorations remain important to discussions of language\u2019s role in social life. The Sophist\u2019s view of law as conventional and truth as relative influenced later political and philosophical thought. Finally, the Sophists placed training in rhetoric at the center of education, which constituted an innovation not found in rhetorical practices in other parts of the world and that would continue to have influence for centuries. Protagoras insisted that a persuasive case can be made on either side of an issue, not just on the side favored by prevailing moral assumptions. The chapter also takes note of the fact that women were restricted from making public speeches in ancient Greek city-states, with notable exceptions. The poet Sappho was widely known for her linguistic gifts in a generation preceding the rise of the Sophists. Later, Aspasia had a reputation as a skilled rhetorician, debater, and teacher of rhetoric. The freedom of Spartan women to speak in the marketplace is explored.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

Review Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Download Worksheet<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tap to reveal the author’s responses when you’re ready to check your answers.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n

\n