Abstract
The focus of this thesis is the rhetorical depictions of character in Cicero’s correspondence in the period following the assassination of Caesar. Letters have long been accepted as an affected form of communication, but the extent of rhetorical characterisations in the letters of Cicero has not yet been fully appreciated. Epistolary persuasion is a relatively new field in classical studies and an extensive exploration in this important area will reveal further insights into the form and function of letter writing in the ancient world. This study focuses on the characterisation of C. Cassius Longinus and M. Iunius Brutus in Cicero’s writings. Firstly it will explore the sloganising of the collective nouns which were used for the conspirators in order to gain a contextual understanding of what these words meant in the Late Republic. Secondly it will examine the rhetorical assembling of character through the medium of comparative portraiture. Finally it will examine the notions of popularity, universal consent and duty as rhetorical arguments to persuade the conspirators to continue the fight for the republic. The identification and exploration of character depiction as a rhetorical device in the letters are vital in the historical and literary research into Cicero, his correspondence, and indeed the understanding of the crucial events of this period.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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Publication status | Unpublished - 2015 |