Oratory:The Latin word Oratory is the art or practice of formal speaking in public. This term  was coined by Plato, he did this in order to establish a vocabulary that could be used exclusively in persuasive dialogue. It is a synonym of rhetoric and is classified as eloquent language. This is different from logos, which focuses on precision in language and critical thinking. This matters because it is a distinct separation between regular conversation and high speech.

Exordium:The beginning part of a debate. It is a Latin word that evolved into its current form around the time of the renaissance. In Plato’s Phaedrus he begins with this as one of the divisions of his oratory.

Relativism:The idea that knowledge, truth, goodness and other forms are dependent on a society and not absolute. Heraclitus is famous for his quote: “One cannot step into the same river twice.” This way of thinking is concurrent with Thrasymachus in Book I of Plato’s The Republic where Plato is arguing through Socrates the true definition of justice. This concept had a significant influence on the development of rhetoric.

Thesmos:This is law derived from the authority of kings. This is a Greek word that was also an early word for law and could have also meant to lay down the law. It is important because most early societies were ruled by a single entity, who some viewed as godlike.

Sophists: The Sophists were people in Ancient Athens who would teach people how to persuade people. In the textbook they are defined as a teacher of rhetoric. According to Plato, who didn’t care for them at all, they would let people pay them to teach them how to use persuasion to get whatever they wanted, no matter what it was. Plato was obviously not a fan, but he believed their views aligned with Thrasymachus.

HR: instructor, Herrick, an introduction to classical rhetoric, dictionary