Rhetoric in the Early Middle Ages and Byzantine Empire PDF
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University of Florida
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This document presents an overview of rhetoric in the early Middle Ages and the Byzantine Empire. It details how rhetoric was adapted to the needs of Christian Europe and the role of classical theories in this context. An exploration of the impact of Christianity on rhetoric and the role of the Byzantine Empire in preserving and transmitting classical texts is also included.
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Chapter 6: Rhetoric in Christian Europe and Rhetoric in the Byzantine Empire 5th-15th centuries, rhetoric was adapted to the needs of Christian Europe Education system changed Wars, sacking destroyed libraries Few could read and write Classical rhetoric and other subjects...
Chapter 6: Rhetoric in Christian Europe and Rhetoric in the Byzantine Empire 5th-15th centuries, rhetoric was adapted to the needs of Christian Europe Education system changed Wars, sacking destroyed libraries Few could read and write Classical rhetoric and other subjects were not as widely taught in Western Europe Much of Ancient Greek and Roman works were lost These Roman Rhetorical texts survived and were used heavily: 1. Rhetorica ad Herennium (anonymous) 2. De Inventione, Cicero What aspects of Cicero’s work may have been considered particularly useful at this time? As Christianity grew, many educated people distrusted classical theories because they were written by non- Christians Argued that they were tainted with the “immorality and excesses of pagan Rome” Ancient Ancient Medieval Byzantine Greece Rome Europe Empire (Western) (Eastern) 400-1400 CE 330—1453 CE Rhetoric Politics Courts Church Persona Church and al l Politics Domain (combined) Types of Policy Judicial, Sermon Poetry Criticism and rhetoric ceremoni s Letter religious rhetoric Practice al Writing d Born in N. Africa Mother Christian, father pagan Studied in Carthage Professor of Rhetoric in Milan for 10 years Converted “from rhetoric” to Christianity Understood rhetoric was adaptable. He used aspects of classical/Roman rhetoric and adapted them to a new Christian understanding of truth If language is finite, and God is infinite, how do we develop a rhetoric of God? He believed that we should cleanse the mind so that we could contemplate God Platonic Orientation: rhetoric is used to correct error and teach truth Plato’s “true rhetoric” as medicine for sick souls There is an absolute truth. All knowledge is the knowledge of God. You should learn the Pagan classics (rhetoric) so that you can: Learn about divine mysteries Keep Pagan excesses in control Rhetoric should be used for preaching To delight To teach To move 1. To discover the scripture 2. To teach the scripture 3. To defend scriptural truth when it is attacked Art of Preaching Art of Letter Writing Useful tool in business, civic life & the church Rhetorical form open to women Art of Poetry Eastern Roman Empire, 330-1453 CE Largely excluded from the Western Canon Incredible longevity: It was the only organized state west of China to survive without interruption from ancient times until the beginning of the modern age. Wealthy society—silk trade, spice trade Welcomed outsiders; civil, multi-cultural society Continued to teach classics (science, metaphysics) Arts were mostly religious The early Christian church was split into two branches as a result of the Great Schism of 1054. Today, the western church is known as Roman Catholicism, which is led by Pope and based at the Vatican in Rome. During the Byzantine Empire, Constantinople was the center of the eastern church and was led by an Ecumenical Patriarch. The eastern Christians are commonly referred to as Orthodox Christians, or Eastern Orthodox Christians. Found throughout Eastern Europe, Greece. As we learn about the Western canon of rhetoric, we look for connections, continuities, and enduring ideas that shape how we view leadership, how we cooperate with each other, and how we influence and are influenced. Many have ignored the influence the Byzantine Empire had on the development of rhetoric. It was a Christian society, yet it continued to teach rhetoric based on the Greek tradition. It preserved manuscripts of Greek and Roman authors, and as the city fell to the Ottomans, refugees brought thousands of these to Italy. The scholars and writings from the Byzantine Empire played a key role in the start of the Italian Renaissance. No significant new rhetorical theories Taught classical Greek rhetorical theory and philosophy Particularly fond of Plato Eastern Orthodox Christians Served several functions: Critics Archivists—much of the work they preserved reached Western Europe during the Renaissance
