Aeschylean Drama and the History of Rhetoric

摘要

This dissertation demonstrates how the playwright Aeschylus contributes to the development of ancient Greek rhetoric through his use and display of piepsiloniotatheta&ohgr; (often translated "persuasion") throughout the Oresteia , first performed in 458 BCE. In this drama, Aeschylus specifically displays and develops piepsiloniotatheta&ohgr; as a theme, a goddess, a central principle of action, and an important concept for his audience to consider. By tracing connections between Aeschylus' innovations with piepsiloniotatheta&ohgr; and later fifth and early fourth century conceptions of Greek rhetoric, I argue that Aeschylus plays a more important role in the development of practical principles and concepts of the rhetorical art than has been previously acknowledged. Methodologically, in this dissertation I combine word studies and thematic analysis together with examinations of choral narratives and staging, iconographical research on the goddess Peitho, and a close study of Athena's speeches to the Erinyes (Eu. 778-891) through the lens of Aristotle's Rhetoric. Through these diverse modes of analysis, this dissertation validates Aeschylus as a conceptually innovative playwright and offers an approach for further examination of early Greek rhetoric through the portrayal of piepsiloniotatheta&ohgr; in drama.