Rhetoric, theory and the imperative of performance: Byzantium and now

Abstract

This chapter defines rhetoric in a Byzantine context, looks at the functions of rhetoric in Byzantine society, and examines the proper relationship between theory and rhetoric for the modern reader of Byzantine texts. Rhetoric played a special part in defining and articulating the self-referentially agonistic nature of Byzantine literary society. Rhetorical controversy was the culture wars of the Komnenian period: the vogue for the new rhetoric of the Komnenian period, the new schedography, the inter-school competitions. But the agonistic, performative nature of twelfth-century literary society may best be seen in the small group of inaugural lectures which survive from the middle of the twelfth century. The rhetorical speeches are found in many forms: didaskaliai , epitaphioi , consolationes , monodies, threnoi , epithalamia , genethliaka , inaugural lectures, basilikoi logoi as well as letters, dramatia and progymnasmata written for performance. Rhetoric had social, political, emotional and aesthetic functions in Byzantine society.

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