Reflection # 16

Angela Gregoire
Reflection # 16
Definition of rhetoric and its relationship to Roman education

Rhetoric is considered to be one of the oldest disciplines throughout Europe and by extension the world. In many European countries rhetoric was used to convinced people in most social settings. In ancient times rhetoric was used by great speakers to effectively persuade individuals in public gatherings and in the courts. During the late nineteenth century it was the primary focus of Western education, and out of this rose the need to educate writers and promising public speakers. Rhetoric is the study of using language persuasively and effectively. It can also be defined as the study of rules and principles of composition formed by critics in the colonial era. Throughout the twentieth century rhetoric was included in communication at the tertiary level. Rhetoric prepares students to write and speak effectively. The rhetoric curriculum stressed on the importance of rules and principles in composition for impressing audiences all over Europe. In Rome it was taught during the Middle Ages and was included in liberal arts studies. The art of rhetoric was explained in many handbooks, dialogues, lectures, and speeches. The great philosophers of ancient times together with seasoned public speakers and orators developed this interesting art of rhetoric.
The central focus of the Roman education was rhetoric and a form of declamation which was really a speech class where young men were given topics to write. These young men were instructed properly and they were expected to produce excellent speeches. Marcus Cicero was believed to be Rome’s best rhetorician and he can be considered to be the most read of the Classical time. He was well known for his contribution of what was known as the canons, and his ideas of kairos and also a determining theory. Cicero’s associate Quintilian was another famous rhetorician who was influential in procuring the traditions in both Rome and Greek. The survival of rhetoric can be linked to St. Augustine who was himself an important figure of his time. St. Augustine argued that Christians must not choose the sophist ideas of persuasion since eloquence is required to make the Bible’s instruction more effective. During the middle Ages most of the writings of the scholars in Rome were lost and hence the reason why the rhetoric theory endured, but it was Peter Ramus who persevered and explained that the canons of rhetoric should include dialectic and a simplified form of rhetoric to include delivery and style.
At sixteen young men in Rome were prepared by older men to master skills in public speaking because this was very important there. Rhetoric was the central focus for these young adults. The primary goal of education was to be able to write and speak effectively. The emphasis of rhetoric was very strong in Rome in comparison to other European schools. The Romans at the time removed subjects like athletics and music for they were not considered as important. The Romans were not interested in philosophy and science, but instead included manuals of rhetoric. The education system was geared towards preparing males to be leaders and the system instilled values based on traditions and Greek and Roman literature. The Romans placed more importance on rhetoric rather than mere knowledge. The ancient Greeks were credited for their achievements in mathematics, medicine, science, and philosophy, but the Romans priority was rhetoric. The emphasis on rhetoric reigned for a long time far surpassing the dictatorial era. From all records it is clear that rhetoric formed an integral part of the Roman education.