A Dialogue Concerning Oratory, or the Causes of Corrupt Eloquence by Tacitus
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About this eBook
| Author | Tacitus, Cornelius, 56-117 |
|---|---|
| Editor | Murphy, Arthur, 1727-1805 |
| Title |
A Dialogue Concerning Oratory, or the Causes of Corrupt Eloquence The Works of Cornelius Tacitus, Volume 8 (of 8); With an Essay on His Life and Genius, Notes, Supplements |
| Note | Reading ease score: 59.0 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read. |
| Credits |
Produced by Ted Garvin, Tom Martin and the PG Online Distributed Proofreading Team |
| Summary | "A Dialogue Concerning Oratory, or the Causes of Corrupt Eloquence" by Tacitus is a philosophical treatise likely written in the first century AD. The work is structured as a dialogue between several notable figures, including Curiatius Maternus, Julius Secundus, and Marcus Aper, who debate the state of oratory and its decline from the eloquence of ancient times. The central theme revolves around the reasons for the deterioration of effective communication and the contrast between poets and orators in terms of societal value and personal fulfillment. The opening of the dialogue introduces the characters and sets the stage for a discussion on the decline of eloquence from its earlier, more esteemed forms. Maternus has recently faced criticism for his obscure tragedy, which leads to a conversation with Aper and Secundus about the merits of oratory versus poetry. Aper argues for the superiority and advantages of pursuing a career in oratory, outlining the public esteem and personal benefits it entails, while Maternus defends his passion for poetry as a higher calling despite the risks and sacrifices it entails. The discussion quickly evolves into an exploration of the differences between ancient and modern eloquence, touching on education, style, and the societal attitudes toward each profession. The groundwork for a critique of contemporary rhetorical practices is laid as the characters delve into specific examples and broader implications of their beliefs. (This is an automatically generated summary.) |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PA: Language and Literatures: Classical Languages and Literature |
| Subject | Dialogues, Latin |
| Subject | Oratory, Ancient |
| Category | Text |
| EBook-No. | 15017 |
| Release Date | Feb 11, 2005 |
| Most Recently Updated | Dec 14, 2020 |
| Copyright Status | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 243 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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