Major Figures

Homer: wrote The Illiad and The Odyssey, which exemplify arete (Herrick 27)

Empedocles (490-430 BCE): proto-rhetorician, which focused on the magic (persuasiveness) of language. From Sicily (Herrick 28)

Corax: a Sicilian whom Aristotle identifies as the first teacher of rhetoric (“Introduction” 10). He developed rhetoric after noticing which litigants in the courtroom were successful and then systemized that study.

Solon (638-559 BCE): reformed Athens and began the move toward the development of the Athenian democracy, including ensuring education of citizens and minimizing the power of the aristocracy and giving rise to the voice and enfranchisement of the middle class

Pericles (495-429 BCE): Athenian leader. He ensured that the middle class who worked in the government were paid for their service. Therefore, he essentially creates bureaucrats.  hamadryades via Compfight

Values

isegoria: the right to speak freely in public assemblies (Herrick 29). This is not necessarily the same as free speech, but it does allow for each citizen to speak.

arete: virtue (Herrick 33)

gnorimoi: the aristocracy, which once held all the power

polis: the city-state, which rhetoric and democracy made function (Herrick 29)

probably/contingent: The idea that in a democracy, and through rhetoric, we can come up with the best answers to probable situations.

gymnasia: schools. slaves were not allowed to attend, and ultimately, these were places for boys. They focused on what makes one BETTER for the mind (rhetoric, philosophy) and the body (exercise)