The Speeches of Theban Ambassadors in Greek Literature (404-362 B.C.)

The paper examines the preserved literary versions of the speeches delivered by Theban ambassadors between 404 and 362 B.C. The introduction, after providing a list of these speeches, focuses mainly on methodological problems; then an analysis of different kind of arguments and strategies used by Theban ambassadors follows; afterwards the paper provides a survey of the evidence about the oratory of the only two Theban ambassadors whose name is known (Pelopidas and Epaminondas); the last paragraph offers concluding remarks. The analysis of persuasion techniques adopted by Theban envoys suggests that a valid Theban ambassador had to be not only an eloquent speaker, but also a skilled historian and a clever politician.