Isokrates as an observer and commentator upon his times
Date
1991
Authors
Lennox, Peter Gordon
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Canberra
Abstract
This thesis sets out to provide the first major study in English of the
historical significance of the six political discourses of Isokrates
(Panegyrikos. Plataikos. Archidamos. On the Peace, Areopagitikos and
Philippos). Each discourse is discussed individually, and each is closely
examined with respect to its content and its historical context. For each,
Isokrates' perspectives, ideas and judgements, whether idiosyncratic or
compatible with other contemporary viewpoints, are assessed against
available historical data, for both their historical plausibility and validity.
Throughout the six chapters, which examine each of the political
discourses in turn, it is argued that, despite the fact that these works are
neither deliberate historical works nor genuine orations, designed for
public delivery in the political contexts which constitute the settings, these
discourses provide important historical evidence for the history of the
times in which each was composed. Each work addresses at least one
significant contemporary political issue; other related social, economic and
military issues are also drawn into the discussion.
Isokrates' own statements about the serious nature of his advice are
shown to afford a more persuasive interpretation of these works than do
attempts by some scholars to detach the composition of individual works
from their proclaimed historical contexts or to show the works as
principally rhetorical display-pieces.
Isokrates eschewed a personal involvement in political life, either as
rhetor or strategos. but his discourses reveal him as astute to contemporary
issues of state and of inter-state relations. His commentary and advice
upon current affairs was sometimes subtle, sometimes personal, but it
cannot reasonably be portrayed as absurd, or even inept. Issues are not
approached ideologically, but with a pragmatism not incompatible with a
conservative and patriotic Athenian spirit. Isokrates cannot be
characterized as a panhellenic visionary, pursuing persistently a singleminded
policy: each discourse addresses its own peculiar situation, and,
where apposite, policies are adapted to contemporary circumstances. Comparison with other evidence indicates that it is unlikely that
Isokrates acted through these works as the mouthpiece of an active
politician or of a political faction. Furthermore, his views and his advice,
whether seen to be shared by others or whether perceived to be more
idiosyncratic, can be perceived as a reasonable interpretation of the
individual situations. Moreover, the advice appears to have been not
entirely without influence, although two quite specific historical events
have been mistakenly attributed to the direct influence of Isokrates'
advice.
In short, historians of Greek history of the Fourth century B. C.
neglect these discourses at their peril.
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