Alcidamas: The Works and Fragments (Greek Texts)

Alcidamas is an important figure in the development of Greek rhetoric early in the fourth century BC. Pupil of Gorgias, rival of Isocrates, and teacher of Aeschines, he also influenced Demosthenes and was later admired by both Aristotle and Cicero. His extant works are "On Those who Write Written Speeches" (a treatise on the oratorical practice of improvisation on a well-prepared brief) and "Odysseus" (a pattern exercise in constructing a prosecution). Other fragments survive and all are presented in this edition, which translates them into English and provides a full commentary on the whole surviving oeuvre. "Alcidamas is a significant figure in the early development of Greek rhetoric at the beginning of the fourth century B.C. Pupil of Gorgias and a keen rival of Isocrates, he probably influenced Aeschines and Demosthenes, and was warmly admired by Cicero. He had read some of Plato's works, and was the subject of detailed critical attention in Aristotle's Rhetoric. His extant works are On Those Who Write Written Speeches (a treatise on the advantages to the speaker of improvisation on a well-prepared brief as against text-bound delivery), and Odysseus (a pattern exercise in constructing a prosecution speech - in this case against Palamedes for alleged treachery at Troy). The Greek text of these and other surviving fragments is presented in this edition - the first to provide a full commentary on the surviving works together with an English translation. This will be essential for libraries and for all with an interest in ancient oratory."-- Résumé de l'éditeur Alcidamas is a significant figure in the early development of Greek rhetoric at the beginning of the fourth century BC. Pupil of Gorgias and a keen rival of Isocrates, he probably influenced Aeschines and Demosthenes, and was warmly admired by Cicero. He had read some of Plato's works, and was the subject of detailed critical attention in Aristotle's Rhetoric. His extant works are On those who write written speeches (a treatise on the advantages to the speaker of improvisation on a well-prepared brief as against text-bound delivery), and Odysseus (a pattern exercise in constructing a prosecution speech -- in this case against Palamedes for alleged treachery at Troy). The Greek text of these and other surviving fragments is presented in this edition -- the first to provide a full commentary on the surviving works together with an English translation. This will be essential for libraries and for all with an interest in ancient oratory. Book jacket