Source edition
Lucian, Vol. 6. Kilburn, Kenneth, editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1959 (unrenewed copyright).
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This work is a prefatory speech (prolalia) by the Roman-era rhetorician Lucian, designed to introduce his own declamatory performance. The author begins by recounting how the historian Herodotus bypassed the tedious task of traveling from city to city, instead reading his history at the Olympic Games to achieve instant renown throughout Greece. He then explains how this successful strategy of self-promotion was emulated by the painter Aetion, who exhibited his masterpiece depicting the wedding of Alexander and Roxana at Olympia. Through a vivid description (ekphrasis) of Aetion's intricate painting, the speaker transitions to his own circumstances in Macedonia. Drawing a parallel between the ancient triumphs at Olympia and his current rhetorical endeavor, he appeals to his audience's goodwill, urging them to receive his speech with the same favor and understanding shown to his illustrious predecessors.