| Rhetoric |
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Many of you have asked about Roman grammatical terms, whether the Romans systematically thought that they were using a passive periphrastic when they used a gerundive with 'to be' to show obligation. Certianly not, there language came as natural to them as English does to us, it ius a native language. They composed with little thought devoted to cases, declensions, etc. But what about rhetoric, did Roman orators and poets know that were using rhetorical devices, or was it as natural as speking their own language? Do you think so? I have only my best guess as to when and why such terms came into use. But I recently found a response to a similar question on the internet. Who were the first to use terms to indicate different styles of rhetoric?
Rhetoric refers to words such as alliteration, anaphora, syndeton etc. and the general ability to make language more effective, persuaive and elegant. The word rhetoric is derived from the Greek word ρητωρ (rhetor) meaning "a public speaker, orator." We know that grammaticus was a term used for a teacher of students of literature and language who would impart the proper use of rhetorical figures so his students could write and give speeches that would be well received by contemporaries. Style was stressed as well as grammar.
The first known reference to rhetorical terminology is cited by Aristotle, but it is not a thorough discussion of the terms. Roman references were as early as 161 B.C. when Cato the Censor chastised those who embellished their speeches with rhetoric. The Gracchi brothers had been skilled speakers trained by Greek teachers. Cicero was the first Roman master of the skill of using rhetoric in his speeches and essays, rivaling the Greeks in style and smoothness of the art. Although Cicero was credited with writing the Ad Herennium around 84 B.C., in which Book 4 is dedicated to a discussion of rhetorical figures, the actual author of the book is unknown. The author attempted to give Latin names to the terms but his sources were Greek and the Greek names remain the prevalent ones even today.
Quintilian, (ca. 30-100 A.D.), teacher of rhetoric and orator, wrote the Institutio Oratoria in which he discusses the training of an orator:
This is a "for your information only" document.
J.Jahnige Dec. 1998 (revise 2005)
References:
Carol D. Lanham Rhetorica, Inc.
Oxford Classical Dictionary
Works cited by Ms. Lanham:
Richard A. Lanham, A Handlist of Rhetorical Terms 2nd ed. 1991;
George Kennedy, Classical Rhetoric and Its Christian and Secular Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times 1980.
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