Summary The use of speeches by the three ancient historians, Herodotus, Thucydides and Tacitus:
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Course
Cls3701 (CLS3701)
Institution
University Of South Africa (Unisa)
Assignment 2 study summary notes in preparation for the exam question exploring: "The use of speeches by the three ancient historians, Herodotus, Thucydides and Tacitus"
The use of speeches by the three ancient historians, Herodotus,
Thucydides and Tacitus:
Diodorus Siculus believed that speeches helped offer a solution of the puzzle
Herodotus: Epic and tragic poetry provided model - Homer expressed views through
the mouths of the gods.
- entertainment value, served serious purpose by adding extra dimension to narrative;
- lesson learnt more NB than event. Moral teaching.
Tactius: structural function (sir ronald syme); talented orator perfected in courts and
Senate, rendered speaker diverse by playing upon language (Piso = sober, dignified;
Otho = rants; Antonius Primus = fierce, direct), records available to fact check him
Other functions
- to portray a character
- to illustrate a situation
- expound 2 policies in contrast
- aid clarity
- to illustrate personal views in a disguised manner (e.g. Pericles funeral speech)
- to solve the unknown (e.g. Darius and Atossa convo Herodo)
- display technique
- moral function
- praise leaders they were under obligation to (Pliny - Tacitus)
- easy transition
Did they comment on their use of speeches:
Herodotus: made revolutionary statement ‘I shall indicate the man I know ... ‘. Imposing
his personality upon material-selecting. By investigating causes of war, he introduced a
subjective, interpretative element into prose literature. This is the soul of history -
personal selection of things said and done.
Thucy:
“The speeches are given in the language in which, as it seemed to me, the several
speakers would express, on the subjects under consideration, the sentiments most
befitting the occasion, though at the same time I have adhered as closely as possible to
the general sense of what was actually said.”
=== J Wilson : “while keeping as closely as poss to general words used, make speakers
say what was called for” - contradictory
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