Isocrates in Italy: The Reception of Isocrates among the Romans and the Renaissance Humanists

Isocrates, the Greek teacher of rhetoric, constantly held the attention of those Romans and Renaissance humanists whose interests included oratory and ethics. My dissertation examines how particular Romans and humanists viewed Isocrates, and what impact Isocrates made in their works. Previous scholarship on this topic has covered some of the basic information, such as the identification of passages where an author borrows from Isocrates. My dissertation aims not only to synthesize the diverse scholarship and my own investigations into a coherent narrative, but also to evaluate to what extent Isocrates affected the thinking of his various readers.;The first chapter discusses those aspects of Isocrates' career that exerted the most influence on the Romans and the humanists: his discussions of eloquence and persuasion, his recommendations for proper behavior, the Antidosis and the speeches to Nicocles. The first chapter, in sum, provides the background necessary for understanding what the ancient Romans and the Renaissance humanists were doing with Isocrates.;The second chapter discusses the reception of Isocrates among the Romans, from Plutarch's comment about Cato and Isocrates to the fall of the western empire. Unsurprisingly, the orator Cicero shows the most sustained engagement with Isocrates' work, and Quintilian comes in second. Yet Vitruvius too is remarkable for the way in which he employed Isocrates as a model. Various other ancient authors make short appearances in this chapter as they mention Isocrates once or a few times.;The third chapter begins the discussion of Isocrates' legacy in the Renaissance. After brief comments on Petrarch, the chapter focuses on Guarino of Verona, who is responsible for reviving direct knowledge of Isocrates in Italy. The chapter discusses Guarino's translations of Isocratean speeches as well as the passages of Guarino's letters where he borrows from Isocrates. The dissertation shows that Guarino employed Isocrates as a guide for improving the aesthetic, cultural, and moral conditions of his time.;The fourth chapter traces the influence of Isocrates in the 1430s, when new translations of his speeches abounded. Several different humanists enter the discussion, but since many have ties with Guarino, it is clear that Guarino played a large role in promoting Isocrates' work. The chapter treats not only the humanists who translated Isocrates but also those who did not do so. Prefaces to translations, speeches, and treatises on rhetorical theory are some genres in which the influence of Isocrates is apparent. The chapter culminates with a discussion of Lorenzo Valla.;The fifth chapter discusses the reception of Isocrates in the rest of the fifteenth century, up to the publication of the Greek editio princeps of his works. Many humanists come into the discussion. Prefaces to translations of Isocrates remain an important type of text to be examined, but another genre that requires consideration is the treatise on morality addressed to a prince. Francesco Patrizi, the author of one such treatise, is the last humanist to be discussed, and he is noteworthy for taking a turn away from Isocrates.