(Re)inventing the Past: Greek Sophists of the Early Roman Empire on the Foundations of Cities

In the rhetorical theory of the early Roman Empire, a distinct subgenre of epideictic oratory emerges: the encomium of cities, absent in earlier rhetorical traditions. A consistent feature of these enkomia is the recounting of a city’s foundation and its earliest history. This article examines specific examples of rhetorical strategies used by speakers who recall well-known historical narratives, draw upon lesser-known mythological tales, or introduce entirely new elements into the tradition. The efforts of orators contributed to shaping the propaganda of poleis and reinforced their prestige.