Classical oratory is an invaluable resource for the study of ancient Greek life and culture. The speeches offer evidence on Greek moral views, social and economic conditions, political and social ideology, and other aspects of Athenian culture that have been largely ignored: women and family life, slavery, and religion, to name just a few.

This volume contains the works of the two earliest surviving orators, Antiphon and Andocides. Antiphon (ca. 480-411) was a leading Athenian intellectual and creator of the profession of logography ("speech writing"), whose special interest was law and justice. His six surviving works all concern homicide cases. Andocides (ca. 440-390) was involved in two religious scandals-the mutilation of the Herms (busts of Hermes) and the revelation of the Eleusinian Mysteries-on the eve of the fateful Athenian expedition to Sicily in 415. His speeches are a defense against charges relating to those events.

Contains the works of the two earliest surviving orators

About the Author
Antiphon's speeches are introduced and translated by Michael Gagarin, Professor of Classics at the University of Texas at Austin. Andocides' speeches are introduced and translated by Douglas MacDowell, Professor of Greek at the University of Glasgow.

Reviews
In its primary aim of making Antiphon and Andocides accessible to a broader audience, the volume is eminently successful. Both translators show steady hands, accurately conveying the substance (and nuances) of the speeches in a clear, modern idiom...The book also succeeds in its aim of making the orators intelligible to novices; the introductions and notes provide a brief survey of some of the historical and legal complexities of Attic oratory. Indeed, Gagarin and MacDowell touch on an impressive range of topics within short compass. * Bryn Mawr Classical Review *



Book Information
ISBN 9780292728097
Author Michael Gagarin
Format Paperback
Page Count 202
Imprint University of Texas Press
Publisher University of Texas Press
Weight(grams) 454g