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Glossary
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GLOSSARY Isocrates’ vocabulary is of special interest because many of its terms became canonized in Aristotle’s Rhetoric, a generation later. Care has been taken to translate these terms consistently, but since the English translations rarely convey the full range of meaning of the Greek, the reader may wish to consult specific passages in order to determine more accurately Isocrates’ meaning. antidosis: ‘‘exchange’’ is the legal process by which a citizen called to undertake a liturgy (see below) can propose that a wealthier individual either assume the liturgy in his place or else exchange properties with him. If the challenged citizen refuses both options, the case is then brought as a suit to decide between the two (diadikasia ), and the jurors assign the liturgy to the one they judge to be richer. aretē: ‘‘virtue,’’ ‘‘human excellence,’’ ‘‘morality’’ is the central human value, excellence in character. Soundness of mind (sōphrosynē ) and a sense of justice (dikaiosynē ) are also considered aretai (3.29, 3.43). For Isocrates, as for Plato, it was questionable whether aretē was really teachable (13.6, 20). In epideictic speeches, like 10 and 11, displaying the aretē of the person being praised is the primary object of the speech (10.12, 11.10). Cf. Arist., Rhetoric 1.3.3, 1.9. doxa: ‘‘opinion,’’ ‘‘conjecture’’; sometimes ‘‘reputation’’ or ‘‘glory’’ (1.17, 2.7, 13.8). Doxa is often set in contrast to a fixed body of knowledge, epistēmē, which was prized by Plato and his followers, but Isocrates contrasts doxa favorably with epistēmē (10.5, 13.8, 15.184, 15.271). The establishment of a good doxa (‘‘reputation’’) is among the highest goals Isocrates sets for himself and his students (15.184); with it the public speaker hopes to gain the approval and support of his mass audience. eidos: ‘‘form,’’ as of a speech (13.17) or an argument (15.280; cf. 9.9). Isocrates distinguishes between an exhortation (paraklēsis) and an address (parainesis) (1.5) and between a speech of praise (epainos) and defense (apologia) (10.14–15, 11.5). He also recognizes a prosecution (katēgoria) as a distinct form (10.21) and refers to anepideixis (‘‘display’’) (11.44, 15.55, 15.147). See also idea. elenchos: ‘‘test’’ (2.52, 19.41). Isocrates refers to several processes or pieces of evidence that may serve as an elenchos of his position, like the torture (basanos) of a slave (17.12, 17.53), or a document (17.30). He also refers to a more technical use of the term, in its verbal form (exelenchein), as a refutation (3.7, 10.4). enthymēma: ‘‘consideration’’; the verb enthymeisthai ⫽ ‘‘consider,’’ ‘‘bear in mind’’ (13.16, 15.17, 21.18). It sometimes seems to refer to thoughts that the listener must introduce, since they lie outside the obvious facts of the case but are relevant to them (9.10). epieikeia: ‘‘fair-mindedness,’’ ‘‘honesty’’; it is often translated ‘‘equity’’ (1.38, 1.48, 15.212). It is a central value for Isocrates, to which his teaching contributes (11.1, 13.21). hēgemonia: ‘‘hegemony’’ refers to Athens’ political and cultural leadership among the Greek states; see esp. 15.293–294. idea: ‘‘form’’ of thought or argument, a basic building block of argumentation (13.16). One or more ideai (10.15, 11.33) make up the eidos of a speech, which the speaker must perhaps match to kairoi (10.11). kairos: ‘‘circumstance’’ (10.11, 15.184), ‘‘occasion’’ (1.32, 9.34, 13.13), ‘‘crisis’’ (1.25), or ‘‘opportunity’’ (2.33, 2.52, 3.19, 9.54–55). lēitourgia: translated ‘‘liturgy’’ (but not with the same sense as the English word). A form of taxation imposed on the wealthiest Athenians , obliging them to fund a choral production, a dramatic performance , or the maintenance of a trireme for a year. Litigants frequently attest their sense of civic responsibility by citing liturgies they had performed. Isocrates broadens the understanding of a liturgy to encompass any service, including the teaching of rhetoric, performed for the overall benefit of the community; see in particular 15.158, 224–226; also Lys. 21.19 for the idea that the best liturgy is good citizenship. logos: ‘‘word,’’ ‘‘argument,’’ ‘‘speech’’ (1.4, 1.12, 10.12). 266 isocrates i [54.210.126.232] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 17:15 GMT) paideia, paideusis: ‘‘education.’’ A slight distinction can be made between paideusis —the process of educating or training, in which Isocrates and other sophists engaged (3...