Thucydides, Pericles & Classical Oration

1. Thucydides, Pericles & Classical Oration

2. Thucydides • 460 B.C.- 404 B.C. • Important military magistrate in the Peloponnesian War • Failed to protect Amphipolis, an important Athenian colony, from a Spartan attack and was sent to trial for this military failure • Trial ended with Thucydides being exiled

3. Thucydides • While exiled, he watched the war from afar • Chronicles the events that took place • Spoke with Athenians and Spartans • Wrote the History of the Peloponnesian War, based on what he observed during that time. • Viewed as one of the greatest historians, due to his objective, scientific approach to his work

4. Thucydides • Thucydides was interest in the psychology of war and human behavior in war time. • History would be understood by studying human behavior • Many of the speeches included within his writing serve to highlight the motives and ambitions of both Sparta and Athens. • Recorded speeches by memory, filled in missing information with what he believed the speakers would have said

5. Pericles’ Funeral Oration • One of the speeches included in Thucydides History of the Peloponnesian War • Speech presents a glowing account of Athenian democracy, but does not present a complete picture of its imperialistic policies

6. Classical Oration • Oration- The art of persuasion. Formal speech that appeals to the emotions of the audience. The purpose is to inspire listeners and incite them to action, was a major interest in Classical times.

7. Classical Oration • Seven parts of classical oration • The opening • The narration • The exposition • The proposition to clarify the points • A confirmation to address the arguments for and against • The refutation • The conclusion

8. Classical Oration • The Opening • Used to get the attention of the audience • Speaker discloses the topic to be discussed as well as their position on the matter • Presents thesis for argument

9. Classical Oration • The Narration • Recital of objective facts • Brief history of problem, situation or topic • Should be neutral and matter-of-fact so the speaker gains the trust of the audience

10. Classical Oration • The Exposition • Definition of terms to be explained or issues to be proven.

11. Classical Oration • The Proposition • Clarifies the points to be covered and states exactly what is to be proven • Sometimes included in the Exposition

12. Classical Oration • Confirmation to address the arguments for and against the proposition • Address the other side

13. Classical Oration • The Refutation • Refutes the opposing argument • The speaker must show that he is well informed, know the opposite points of view, but have excellent reason for not believing them. • Can be a personal appeal of the speaker (ethos), emotion (pathos) or logic (logos).

14. Classical Oration • The Conclusion • Summarizes the argument and stirs the audience • Arouses sympathy • Moves audience to action • Aristotle says the conclusion has four tasks: • Leave the audience well-disposed to the speaker and ill-disposed to the opponent • Magnify speaker’s points • Leave audience in proper mood • Summarize main points of argument