The Gods Themselves: Rhetoric and Myth in Sumer, Egypt, and Greece Before 355 Bce - Couverture souple

Ramsey, Shawn D.

 
9781643366500: The Gods Themselves: Rhetoric and Myth in Sumer, Egypt, and Greece Before 355 Bce
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 1643366505 ISBN 13 : 9781643366500
Editeur : University of South Carolina Press, 2026

Synopsis

Illuminates the geographic and cultural diversity of ancient rhetoric

The Gods Themselves examines ancient myth as a source of rhetorical precept and a tool of human persuasion. In this provocative work, Shawn D. Ramsey extends the history of rhetoric to 2650 BCE through archaeological, epigraphical, and textual sources from Sumer, Egypt, and Greece to the time of Plato.

In his examination of "rhetorical myths"—the stories we tell ourselves about the stories we tell ourselves—Ramsey presents rhetoric as the knowledge of principles guiding speech and writing. Chapters in The Gods Themselves highlight myths that teach rhetorical theory or praxis, such as those featuring Sumerian goddess Nisaba and Egyptian deities Seshat and Thoth, figures who personify rhetorical concepts of archival knowledge and discourse creation. Ramsey then analyzes how these early myths influenced writings by the Greek thinkers Prodicus, Isocrates, and Plato. Underscoring myth's role in shaping rhetorical culture, this synchronic history bridges ancient traditions and their lasting influence on rhetorical theory.

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À propos de l?auteur

Shawn D. Ramsey teaches communication and ethical reasoning in Doha, Qatar.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
University of South Carolina Press
Date d'édition
2026
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
1643366505
ISBN 13 
9781643366500
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
224
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible