ТΗΕ ETHICAL FUNCTION OF POETRY IN LYCURGUS’ SPEECH AGAINST LEOCRATES

Text topic: An Ethical Reading of Art

Text author: Ана Елаковић Ненадовић

In this paper, on the example of Lycurgus’ speech Against Leocrates, we shall discuss the role and the function of quotations from Greek poetry in his forensic oratory. According to some contemporary critics of Lycurgus’ work, his rhetoric is a kind of anthology of patriotic attitudes, in which a large part of his defense is based on emphasizing his moral principles rather than presenting precise and formed legal arguments. The basic hypothesis of this research is that Lycurgus’ selection of passages chosen from Greek poets were mostly reflection of his own patriotic zeal and true moral beliefs. The aim of our paper is also to inquire into the use of poetry in the orator’s education and training but also into his knowledge and appreciation of the rhetoricians and their audience in the polis of Athens.