Athenian ideology in Demosthenes' deliberative oratory : hailing the dÄmos
This thesis examines Demosthenesâ rhetorical use of Athenian ideology in his deliberative speeches from 351-341 BCE. I argue that during this period of crisis, which is usually narrated in terms of conflict with Macedonia, Demosthenes confronts an internal crisis within the Assembly. While Demosthenesâ deliberative speeches have traditionally been defined as âPhilippicâ, this thesis argues that the speeches do not prioritise an âAnti- Macedonianâ agenda, but rather focus on confronting the corruption of the deliberative decision-making process. Due to an attitude of apathy and neglect, Demosthenesâ rhetoric suggests that their external problems are a direct product of this internal crisis, both of which are perpetuated by their failure to recognise how self-sabotaging practices undermine the polis from within. As he asserts in On the Chersonese and the Third Philippic, they cannot hope to deal with their external situation before they deal with their internal crisis. To address this, I argue that Demosthenesâ parrheÌsia interweaves criticism of the deÌmos with the praise of Athens, using social memory and past exempla both to recall and prescribe didactically the attitudes central to Athenian
Bremner, Sarah Janet Alexandrina
DF Greece ; PA Classical philology
Athenian ideology in Demosthenes' deliberative oratory : hailing the dÄmos. This thesis examines Demosthenesâ rhetorical use of Athenian ideology in his deliberative speeches from 351-341 BCE. I argue that during this period of crisis, which is usually narrated in terms of conflict with Macedonia, Demosthenes confronts an internal crisis within the Assembly. While Demosthenesâ deliberative speeches have traditionally been defined as âPhilippicâ, this thesis argues that the speeches do not prioritise an âAnti- Macedonianâ agenda, but rather focus on confronting the corruption of the deliberative decision-making process. Due to an attitude of apathy and neglect, Demosthenesâ rhetoric suggests that their external problems are a direct product of this internal crisis, both of which are perpetuated by their failure to recognise how self-sabotaging practices undermine the polis from within. As he asserts in On the Chersonese and the Third Philippic, they cannot hope to deal with their external situation before they deal with their internal crisis. To address this, I argue that Demosthenesâ parrheÌsia interweaves criticism of the deÌmos with the praise of Athens, using social memory and past exempla both to recall and prescribe didactically the attitudes central to Athenian
athenian ideology demosthenes deliberative oratory examines demosthenes rhetorical use athenian ideology deliberative speech bce argue period crisis usually narrate term conflict macedonia demosthenes confront internal crisis within assembly demosthenes deliberative speech traditionally define argue speech prioritise anti macedonian agenda rather focus confront corruption deliberative decision_making_process due attitude apathy neglect demosthenes rhetoric suggest external problem direct product internal crisis failure recognise self practice undermine polis within asserts third hope deal external situation deal internal crisis address argue demosthenes interweave criticism praise athens use social memory past recall prescribe attitudes central athenian