Friday, February 26, 2010

Rhetoric in Roman Education


The Greeks were the ones that made rhetoric a part of their system. It was Aristotle that created a method of how rhetoric would be used. Rhetoric is simply using words to convince someone about something and a type of art form. In Rome rhetoric was associated with writing. The goal of rhetoric in Rome was important. Romans always tried to outdo the Greeks therefore; they educated their student to learn how to write and speak in order to present themselves well in public or in court. Consequently, since the Romans lost their scholars true rhetoric lost its main influence. Although rhetoric is not as influential as it could be it is still important.
Rhetoric originated from Greece and consists of two words one part means speaker and the other part is defined as to say. During the Roman era rhetoric was used in the educational curriculum and was a form of logic that was taught along with grammar. This form of upper level education took place around the age of sixteen in Rome. During Roman education rhetoric was assigned as a subject with an instructor that taught the students how to debate. Rhetoric had two areas one was an abstract theme that was general and then a particular area that was relevant to any situation or person. For rhetoric to be effective memorization, order and delivery must all be carefully planned. There were also different ways in which rhetoric was used. In the classical style rhetoric was noted as a public speaker. In contemporary style rhetoric was influenced in areas such as art, science and even law.
Rhetoric was so important to Rome and the philosophers because it was that thing that questioned their truth and morality that they believed. As a result it was a very important part of their educational process. Rhetoric has always been important to speech, gathering the attention of an audience and writing. The Romans knew that language was a very powerful thing and that was why they wanted to perfect the art of rhetoric; which was incorporated in their writing and speech.

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