Ritor is who? How did oratory develop

The word rhetor has several meanings, quite similar to each other, but with significant differences. In most cases, the so-called speaker - a man who owns extraordinary skills of eloquence. However, this is not all information about this word.

In order to understand the whole depth of this concept, it is necessary to plunge into history. In particular, look at the ancient times, because it was then that the first known rhetoricians appeared. But let's talk about everything in order.

Who is a rhetorician?

This concept first appeared in ancient Greece, around the 3rd century BC. In the understanding of the Greeks, the rhetorician is an orator, that is, a person who knows how to speak beautifully. Given the passion of this people for science and philosophy, such skills were very much appreciated. Therefore, it is not surprising that over the years the popularity of rhetoric has only grown.

Encouraged by the experience of the Greeks, the Romans also adopted the science of eloquence. However, they changed the essence of the word "rhetor" a little: they called the person who taught oratory. Simply put, teachers are rhetoric.

Popularization of oratory

Probably, it was Ancient Rome that raised rhetoric on the pedestal of universal recognition. After all, the school of oratory was not inferior in popularity to medicine and philosophy, which for several hundred years had been considered discipline in the Roman Empire.

This state of affairs is quite simple to explain, if you recall the basis of government in this state. On a larger scale, power was exercised by those who knew how to attract as many influential friends as possible to their side. And sweet flattery and enthusiastic speeches are the best way to achieve this goal.

That is why the school of rhetoric every year only strengthened. Everyone who dreamed of a career as a politician or an officer wanted to get into it. And, more importantly, many of those who came in the end managed to achieve their goals.

A great rhetorician is who?

The collapse of the Roman Empire buried many of the achievements of this state. But this did not happen with rhetoric. It was quickly adopted by the Christian patriarchs. In particular, a decree was adopted in Constantinople, which introduced a special post in the church world. And she was called the Great Rector.

This was a very honorable order, which could only be obtained by those who passed a series of tests. But more importantly, what he obliged. So, a great rhetorician is a priest who was supposed to follow the spread of the word of God. Moreover, his duties included participation in various kinds of discussions, disputes and debates.

Consequently, this person had to be well educated and be able to speak beautifully. That is, it was necessary to be shod in the oratory.

The development of rhetoric in other countries

Over the years, the popularity of rhetoricians as word teachers has only increased. Virtually every nobleman studied the art of speech or gave to the education of his children. After all, these skills were extremely necessary in order not to fall face to face in conversation with the nobility.

In the final analysis, oratory was introduced in almost all countries. Thanks to this rhetoric as a science, with every passing year it became more and more mature. Moreover, people appeared, whose manner of expressing thoughts simply astonished the imagination of people. To such personalities, the students stood in long lines, just to get a drop of the skill that their mentors had.

Naturally, initially access to this knowledge was only for the elite. But with the years the laws were simplified, and the middle class also could learn new things. For example, in Russia, since the eighteenth century, rhetoric has become an obligatory subject in the theological seminary.

Rhetoric today

Today, this science has not lost its greatness. Now in many universities of the country there is an object of "rhetoric". For some, this discipline is a gateway, and for others it is the basis of the basics. For example, journalists should ideally master the art of the word both verbally and in writing.

Also, the services of the rhetorician are very popular among various business coaches and coaching masters. After all, all the work of these specialists is to speak with their listeners. And if the coach can not interest the audience in his speech, there is a high probability that no one will come to him in the future.

Known rhetors of the past

Perhaps the greatest honor still achieved the ancient rhetoricians. This is due to the fact that they took the rhetoric from a simple hobby to real science, which has not faded to this day. Therefore, it will be very appropriate to recall the most famous rhetorists of the past.

Lucian (120-180 AD) is an ancient Greek writer-rhetorician, better known as Lucian of Samosata. Despite his Syrian roots, Lukian considered himself a true Greek. Unfortunately, the originals of his works have not reached our days, but his contemporaries assure us that he wrote quite a lot of works on rhetoric. Subsequently, these works have become a good example for his followers and students.

Curtius Ruf Quint (around the 1st century AD) is an ancient Roman historian and rhetorician. It was he who wrote a book describing the life story of Alexander the Great. At the same time, many noted that his writing talent could inspire everyone who read his manuscripts.