Ancient Egyptian rhetoric.

Abstract

Most histories of western rhetoric begin with the discussion of Greek rhetoric as the starting point for rhetorical studies. Over the past two-hundred years western ethnocentrism has denied the rhetorical systems of "the others" their rightful place in a comprehensive and accurate rhetorical timeline. However, it is difficult to believe that some cultures that thrived for thousands of years prior to the Greeks did not have a good understanding of how to communicate effectively. After all, oral and written systems of composition were in operation long before rhetoric was recognized as a discipline, and it is the development of these systems that eventually established rhetorical principles and facilitated rhetorical practices. In this thesis I argue that in order to understand the rhetoric of a nonwestern civilization it is important to examine in detail not only its cultural setting but also how it relates to classical rhetoric. This interdisciplinary and cross-cultural approach to the rhetorical system of ancient Egypt emphasizes three major areas: writing and literacy, rhetorical norms and practices, and possible connections between Egyptian and Greek rhetorical precepts, such as the ethical concern reflected in the works of Plato and Isocrates.