Publication details
Augustusbild im rhetorischen Werk von Seneca Rhetor
| Title in English | The picture of Augustus in rhetorical writings of Seneca the Elder |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2015 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Acta Antiqua Academiae scientiarum Hungaricae |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | http://www.akademiai.com/doi/pdf/10.1556/068.2015.55.1-4.34 |
| Doi | http://dx.doi.org/10.1556/068.2015.55.1-4.34 |
| Field | Mass media, audiovision |
| Keywords | Seneca Maior; Augustus; declamations; literary picture; freedom of speech |
| Description | In this study, the literary picture of the emperor Augustus is analyzed, as it is depicted in the rhetorical works of Seneca the Elder. Based on both direct and indirect references in Seneca’s collection of the examples of rhetorical tools Oratorum et rhetorum sententiae, divisiones, colores, which is better known as Controversiae and Suasoriae, I call into question the usually accepted idea that Seneca admired Augustus for his respect for freedom of speech. Although Augustus as princeps makes the impression of a noble, clement, and admirable man, the tension and fear his power arouses in orators penetrates his idealized depiction. Summed up, Seneca the Elder perceived Augustus’ time as the period of the loss of democracy and endangered law. |