The Greek Sophists

Oct 18, 2024 10:28 AM

Author:John Dillon

The Greek Sophists

By mid-5th century BC, Athens was governed by democratic rule and power turned upon the ability of the citizen to command the attention of the people, and to sway the crowds of the assembly. It was the Sophists who understood the art of rhetoric and the importance of transforming effective reasoning into persuasive public speaking. Their enquiries - into the status of women, slavery, the distinction between Greeks and barbarians, the existence of the gods, the origins of religion, and whether virtue can be taught - laid the groundwork for the insights of the next generation of thinkers such as Plato and Aristotle.

Reviews

His is a voice which Europe cannot afford to ignore.

—— Guardian

His observation of human nature in all its facets is wonderfully accurate.

—— Sunday Telegraph

One of Maalouf's most subtle books, and without doubt one of his most accomplished.

—— Le Point

Sparkling and erudite, this is a wonderful novel.

—— Independent

A splendid book that should be read in the way one looks at a highly coloured fresco, allowing oneself to be transported by the breeze that wafts Balthasar on the most unexpected journeys.

—— Josette Alia , Nouvel Observateur

Terrific

—— Sunday Times

Indeed, if you want to understand what's going on in the world at this moment, you could certainly do worse than to read Maalouf on the past

—— Guardian

A fine, unusual and rich book

—— Independent on Sunday

[A] wonderful tale-its bewildered and worldly hero, facing a chaotic universe, makes this meticulously researched historical novel uniquely relevant

—— Scotland on Sunday

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