La dimensión política de la retórica griega

Abstract

Rhetoric in Classical Greece, understood as a natural skill, practice, teaching or theory, was closely related to politics in the three domains where it was at home: courts, assemblies, and the most important, national holidays. In Hellenistic and Roman Greece, the art of persuasion became adapted to new social and cultural conditions. In spite of the changes in its political functions, Rhetoric retained its importance in Greek communities until the end of the ancient world. Afterwards, political affairs left their place to religious and philosophical issues. Finally, towards the end of the 19th century, rhetorical teaching was abolished in the European Universities. However, in the second half of the 20th century, Rhetoric was back again. In spite of the different way in which Rhetoric and politics relate to each other today as compared to their relationship in classical Greece, the ancient experience is useful to understand the modern phenomenon.