Thucydides, Pericles & Classical Oration

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

Classical Oration

• The Exposition– Definition of terms to be explained or issues to be

proven.

Classical Oration

• The Proposition– Clarifies the points to be covered and states

exactly what is to be proven– Sometimes included in the Exposition

Classical Oration

• Confirmation to address the arguments for and against the proposition– Address the other side

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).

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