{"title":"Seneca the Elder","description":"\u003cp\u003eSeneca the Elder’s works offer a vivid exploration of classical rhetoric, presenting collections of \u003cem\u003edeclamations\u003c\/em\u003e that capture the art of persuasive speaking in ancient Rome. Readers will find rich examples of legal and moral arguments, alongside instructive speeches reflecting cultural and social themes of the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHis writings provide insight into the performance and teaching of rhetoric, preserving fragments of lost speeches and showcasing the intellectual vibrancy of Roman oratory. These texts are essential for anyone interested in the intersection of literature, history, and the classical arts.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"declamations-volume-ii-controversiae-books-710-suasoriae-fragments-by-seneca-the-elder-9780674995116","title":"Declamations, Volume II: Controversiae, Books 7–10.  Suasoriae. Fragments","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRoman secondary education aimed principally at training future lawyers and politicians. Under the late Republic and the Empire, the main instrument was an import from Greece: declamation, the making of practice speeches on imaginary subjects. There were two types of such speeches: \u003ci\u003econtroversiae\u003c\/i\u003e on law-court themes, \u003ci\u003esuasoriae\u003c\/i\u003e on deliberative topics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn both types a prime source of our knowledge is the work of Lucius Annaeus Seneca, a Spaniard from Cordoba, father of the distinguished philosopher. Towards the end of his long life (?55 BCE–?40 CE) he collected together ten books devoted to \u003ci\u003econtroversiae\u003c\/i\u003e (some only preserved in excerpt) and at least one (surviving) of \u003ci\u003esuasoriae\u003c\/i\u003e. These books contained his memories of the famous rhetorical teachers and practitioners of his day: their lines of argument, their methods of approach, their idiosyncrasies, and above all their epigrams.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe extracts from the declaimers, though scrappy, throw invaluable light on the influences that coloured the styles of most pagan (and many Christian) writers of the Empire. Unity is provided by Seneca's own contribution, the lively prefaces, engaging anecdote about speakers, writers and politicians, and brisk criticism of declamatory excess.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47470397948140,"sku":"9780674995116","price":59.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780674995116-declamations-volume-ii-controversiae-books-7-10-suasoriae-fragments.jpg?v=1775218334"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/seneca-the-elder.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}