Source edition
Dionysius of Halicarnassus. Dionysii Halicarnasei Opuscula, Vol 1. Usener, Hermann; Radermacher, Ludwig, editors. Leipzig: Teubner, 1899.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
Written by Dionysius of Halicarnassus to his friend Ammaeus, this work is a treatise on literary criticism and rhetoric that advocates for the revival of classical Greek rhetoric and critiques its major orators. The author begins by reflecting on a dark period when the elegant and philosophical Attic style of rhetoric declined, superseded by a vulgar and bombastic Asian style. However, he praises the contemporary era, under Roman dominance, where the high culture of Roman leaders has enabled classical rhetoric to regain its rightful honor. Seizing this opportunity, the author declares his purpose: to critique the lives and thoughts of the finest ancient orators and historians to provide models for proper eloquence. By laying out the structure of his critical project and introducing the six major orators to be analyzed, the work establishes a guide for restoring classical rhetorical standards.