Community, Division, and the Persuasive War of Identities in Attic Oratory

This paper examines two rhetorical strategies which exploit the intersection of religion and the polis for the purpose of persuasion: first, the references to the interconnection between religion and civic spirit/patriotism; and second, the religious dimension of the examples of ideal statesmen and mythical heroes which strengthen the bonds that keep the community together. The orators construct an ideal communal identity that is defined by the adherence of the Athenians both to an idealised civic spirit/patriotism and to religion. At the same time, they construct the identity of their opponents in such a way as to illustrate their rejection of the values of patriotism and piety that mark the communal identity, thereby excluding them from the goodwill of the audience.