Some thoughts on the fragments of antiphon

Mészáros, Tamás (2008) Some thoughts on the fragments of antiphon. Acta Antiqua, 48 (1-2). pp. 193-200. ISSN 0044-5975

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Abstract

As widely known, Antiphon of Rhamnus was one of the most influential leaders of the Four Hundred, who — from the background — led the oligarchical party attempting to overthrow the democratic state, and a conservative orator of extraordinary eloquence, who avoided publicity and never entered any public scene. This picture formed mainly by the famous passage of Thucydides (VIII 68) needs some modifications. A brief survey of the fragments of Antiphon urges us to assume that he was not a theoretical expert retired from public affairs, but rather a professional speech writer active in public life. Furthermore, the mere analysis of the fragments is definitely not sufficient to identify Antiphon’s political commitment.

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