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Encomium of Helen
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The Encomium of Helen is thought to have been the demonstration piece of the Ancient Greek sophist, Presocratic philosopher and rhetorician, Gorgias. In this edition Malcolm MacDowell provides a useful introduction, the Greek text, his own English translation, and commentary.
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1,-0380
This edition
- Format
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48 pages, Paperback
- Published
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June 1, 1991 by Bristol Classical Press
- ISBN
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9780862920531
- ASIN
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0862920531
- Language
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English
About the author
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Gorgias (/ˈɡɔːrdʒiəs/; Greek: Γοργίας Ancient Greek: [ɡorɡíaːs]; c. 485 – c. 380 BC) was a Greek sophist, Italiote, pre-Socratic philosopher and rhetorician who was a native of Leontini in Sicily. Along with Protagoras, he forms the first generation of Sophists. Several doxographers report that he was a pupil of Empedocles, although he would only have been a few years younger. "Like other Sophists he was an itinerant, practicing in various cities and giving public exhibitions of his skill at the great pan-Hellenic centers of Olympia and Delphi, and charged fees for his instruction and performances. A special feature of his displays was to invite miscellaneous questions from the audience and give impromptu replies." He has been called "Gorgias the Nihilist" although the degree to which this epithet adequately describes his philosophy is controversial.
His chief claim to recognition is that he transplanted rhetoric from his native Sicily to Attica, and contributed to the diffusion of the Attic dialect as the language of literary prose.
His chief claim to recognition is that he transplanted rhetoric from his native Sicily to Attica, and contributed to the diffusion of the Attic dialect as the language of literary prose.
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Gorgias' "Encomium of Helen" is a masterful piece of rhetoric that challenges traditional narratives and provokes deeper reflection on the nature of blame, sympathy, and the power of language. Gorgias' defense of Helen is persuasive, as he argues that her actions were beyond her control. Through his use of language, he shifts the focus from blame to sympathy, suggesting that Helen was more a victim of circumstances—of divine intervention, love, and the irresistible power of rhetoric—than a perpetrator of betrayal. This argument is not just compelling in its content but also in its style. Gorgias employs metaphor and figurative language with such finesse that each line resonates on a deeper, emotional level.
One particularly striking line is when Gorgias writes, ‘And with her one body she brought together many bodies of men.’ The rhythmic cadence of this sentence, combined with the repetition of the word ‘body,’ creates a powerful emotional pull. It emphasizes Helen’s monumental influence. The choice of words here is not incidental; it reflects Gorgias' intricate and persuasive use of language, which he likens to a drug—capable of enchanting, overpowering, and ultimately, altering reality.
This metaphor is central to his argument, as it reinforces the notion that Helen, under the influence of such powerful forces, was not entirely autonomous in her decisions.
Structurally, Gorgias' "Encomium of Helen" challenges the conventional perceptions of Helen of Troy, reframing her as a victim rather than a villain. In doing so, it forces the reader to reconsider not only Helen’s story but also the broader implications of moral responsibility and the power of rhetoric in shaping public opinion.
One particularly striking line is when Gorgias writes, ‘And with her one body she brought together many bodies of men.’ The rhythmic cadence of this sentence, combined with the repetition of the word ‘body,’ creates a powerful emotional pull. It emphasizes Helen’s monumental influence. The choice of words here is not incidental; it reflects Gorgias' intricate and persuasive use of language, which he likens to a drug—capable of enchanting, overpowering, and ultimately, altering reality.
This metaphor is central to his argument, as it reinforces the notion that Helen, under the influence of such powerful forces, was not entirely autonomous in her decisions.
Structurally, Gorgias' "Encomium of Helen" challenges the conventional perceptions of Helen of Troy, reframing her as a victim rather than a villain. In doing so, it forces the reader to reconsider not only Helen’s story but also the broader implications of moral responsibility and the power of rhetoric in shaping public opinion.
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While the text was good, not only did this edition have a facing translation for every single page(!), but it also had some typos in the Greek. Commentary was fairly lacking as well, and the only reason this is higher than one-two stars is because Gorgias himself is just a joy to read :)
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Gorgias hace una excepcional producción literaria digna de ser recordada por las generaciones venideras. El tema que elige ya habla de una conciencia de ficción latente: la defensa retórica de un personaje mitológico - quien, además, es mujer; cosa extraña en la sociedad machista de la Antigua Grecia -. El propio Gorgias se divierte mucho con este encomio y eso se nota durante toda la obra, donde los juegos con las palabras, la sintaxis griega y los giros lingüísticos son admirables. Él mismo al final deja en claro que este fue "su jueguito". También, al terminar de leerlo nos queda esa sensación un tanto inquietante, que habrán tenido sin dudas los detractores de Gorgias en la época, de que este tipo es capaz de escribir un discurso a favor o en contra de cualquier cosa y convencer al público de cualquier manera - un sofista magistral -.
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Read in Greek. Sublime piece of writing. Gorgias plays with rhyme in a very refreshing way, and all the dialectics set up by the discourse particles are interesting. I was not expecting all the profound reflections on memory and the power of art. I’m not sure how this reads in English, but in Greek it’s a real treat. I should say, it is very easy to poke holes in Gorgias' argument, and indeed as a persuasive speech it is quite flawed. But this is what makes the text so interesting! What are the implications of Gorgias' argument for, say, the male Athenian citizenry? For sophists? Where does it backfire? (Everywhere!)
Anyone interested in those questions should check out chapter 8 of Ruby Blondell's 2013 book on Helen of Troy. I have a PDF of that chapter, happy to email it to anyone who wants it.
Anyone interested in those questions should check out chapter 8 of Ruby Blondell's 2013 book on Helen of Troy. I have a PDF of that chapter, happy to email it to anyone who wants it.
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4,5 stelle
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interesting take, though he seems to give Helen agency and deny it at the same time
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A pretty easy read, but his style is quite artificial so it makes it an awkward read sometimes. A good text to springboard discussion about many aspects of Ancient Greek thought.
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