INI201H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Platonism, Semiotics, Epideictic
Document Summary
Under trajan, roman empire is at its largest and most robust. The period of the dictator caesars like augustus, tiberius, leads to civil wars and internal conflicts. The gradual abolition of democratic bodies, which were stripped of power. Attempts at fusing christian theology with platonic philosophy. Despite this, the ascension of christianity caused a decline in the teaching of rhetoric; rhetoric is viewed with skepticism. Until the emperor constantine (306-337 ad), christianity is banned in rome; Constantine, who converted to christianity, makes it legal to practice christianity. Constantine moves the capital of the roman empire to byzantium (present-day. Made christianity the state religion of the roman empire. 380 ad: christianity becomes official roman national religion. Called for joining the use of hermeneutics (interpretation of scripture) and rhetoric. Altering the classical tradition, argued that the message was more important than the speaker.
