Silva Rhetoricae

January 8, 2003 2:43 AM

Silva Rhetoricae: the Forest of Rhetoric. Don't know what an erotema is? Just why are you so stupid? Can't tell an apoplanesis from an aposiopesis? Then Gideon O. Burton's excellent guide to classical and renaissance rhetoric may be for you.
posted by misteraitch (9 comments total)

yeah, but I get enough of this by watching CNN and other news channels cover politics.
posted by ericdano at 2:50 AM on January 8, 2003

You shouldn't be so cynical of rhetoric, ericdano.
After all, a noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.
posted by Smart Dalek at 4:15 AM on January 8, 2003

This is great. Well organized, easy to understand. I always like learning the names for things that I can describe, but not label. I read the Aristotle's poetics during a couple commutes this summer and enjoyed it quite a lot.
posted by putzface_dickman at 5:13 AM on January 8, 2003

Nice reference site!
posted by rushmc at 5:41 AM on January 8, 2003

Ahhh, now I remember why I come here instead of Fark. Great link.
posted by 314/ at 6:34 AM on January 8, 2003

This has been one of my favorite reference sites for a long time, since I find formal rhetoric fascinating and many of these words can't be found in dictionaries anymore. I had the ecphrasis.com domain for a while, and I always directed people to the Silva Rhetoricae when they asked what the hell an ecphrasis was.
posted by IshmaelGraves at 7:21 AM on January 8, 2003

I studied Rhetoric under Gideon at the Y a few years ago, and even helped him with the site. Of course that was years ago (years and years ago!). Man he was a great professor, one of my favorites. Thanks for the link misteraitch—can't believe I didn't think to post it.
posted by silusGROK at 7:21 AM on January 8, 2003

Fascinating stuff. Thanks!
posted by Slithy_Tove at 7:31 AM on January 8, 2003

What a welcome change from politics, war, and SUV's.
posted by TedW at 10:19 AM on January 8, 2003 [1 favorite]