Complete Works of Isocrates by Isocrates

He was born to a prosperous family and had enjoyed a high level of education. Isocrates (Gr: Ἰσοκράτης was born in 436 BCE and has been one of the most important teachers of the rhetoric art classical antiquity has given us. You can follow the text online at the Perseus Library, or. He states both positive action and matters, behaviours or people to be avoided, though not in a demanding or compulsory way. The letter to Demonicus is composed in a balanced way, offering short and clear examples of the consequences of this advice, speaking in a manner a benevolent friend would do. Isocrates’ style is smooth, graceful and clear, having made him very attractive and popular at his time.

Isocrates closes his letter by pointing out that proper behaviour not only leads to virtue, which is the highest “commodity”, adding that virtue is also a pleasure of higher order. In addition, the orator clarifies friendship, benevolence, modesty in the way of life, and does not fail to mention the difficult task of fulfilling the duties related to public functions. More specifically, reference is made to respect towards gods and parents, the virtues that are proper characteristics of young people, the attitude they ought to have, and which pleasures are preferred or permissible. Then, he puts forward examples to be imitated, followed by the formulation of moral exhortations and other advice.

This letter is offered as a gift – heritage to Demonicus and is an indirect proof of the love and deep friendship that connected the orator with the young man’s father, Hipponicus.Īt first, the author explains to Demonicus that it is more necessary for young people to learn the right way of life rather than the right way of speaking. It has survived in 14 manuscripts, while extracts of it have been found in seven papyri.

Already since the earliest Christian years up to the Byzantine era this work has been used as an example and reference for many late Roman and Byzantine scholars. Notwithstanding, the success of the work was great, as other hortatory speeches, advice to rulers, pedagogical works and essays have borrowed its elements. The letter to Demonicus (Gr: Δημόνικος has been written around 374-372 BCE and its authenticity has been very early disputed by some, as it was believed that its verbal form and style were not consistent with the style and views of Isocrates.

Complete Works of Isocrates by Isocrates