The State of Speech

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Focusing on Cicero, the foremost Roman figure in public speaking, this book challenges the notion that Roman rhetoric lacks political significance. It presents a fresh interpretation of Cicero's dialogues and treatises, revealing how his views on rhetoric are intertwined with his ideals of the republic and citizenship. The author, Joy Connolly, explores themes such as identity formation, the physicality of communication, and the often-overlooked virtues of civility and compromise in politics, highlighting the relevance of rhetoric in understanding political thought.