For other uses see Oratory (disambiguation).
For other uses see Oratory (disambiguation).
Oratory refers to the ancient art of (public) speaking. In ancient Greece and Rome, oratory was studied as a component of rhetoric (that is, composition and delivery of speeches), and was an important skill in public and private life. Aristotle and Quintilian discussed oratory, and the subject, with definitive rules and models, was emphasised as a part of a liberal arts education during the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
Latin orare ("speak before a court or assembly; plead"), derived from a Proto-Indo-European base *or- ("to pronounce a ritual formula").
The derived word oration, originally used for prayer since c.1375, now means (recorded since 1502) any formal speech, as on a ceremonial occasion or delivered in a similarly high-flown or pompous manner. Its etymological doublet orison is recorded since c.1175, from Anglo-French oreison, Old French oraison ("oration", 12th century), Latin oratio ("speech, oration"), notably in Church Latin ("prayer, appeal to God") from orare (as above), but retained its devotional specialisation.
The modern meaning of the word, "public speaking", is attested from c.1430.
One meaning of the word oratory is abstract: the art of public speaking. There is also the equivalent Greek word rhētōr, hence the abstract noun rhetoric.
The art of public speaking was first developed by the ancient Greeks. Greek oration is known from the works of classical antiquity. This style has come to be known as the Greek school of oratory, or Aristotelian oratory. This style involves a strong emphasis on message content, argumentation strategies, and appeal to common sense. In the Greek school of oratory, communication is seen as a skill to persuade and obtain influence.
After the ascension of Rome, techniques of public speaking were copied and modified by the Latins. Under roman influence, the concept of oratory shifted to merely describing the art of speaking fluently, with little focus on content. The Latin style involves a strong emphasis on form, remarkable use of stylistics, and constant appeal to the listener's emotions. Under the Latin school of oratory, communication is seen as a way to demonstrate "intellectual superiority" or eloquence.
This Latin style was the primary form of oration in the world until the beginning of the 20th century. After World War II there began a gradual deprecation of the Latin style of communication.
Nowadays, there is a decreased appreciation for fluent speeches that are lacking in content. As a result, there has been a tendency to return to the Greek School of Oratory. The Latin method is still taught largely because it is more explicitly defined and formalized, making it easier to teach.