Public Speaking History

The history of public speaking dates back thousands of years when ancient civilizations used public speakers to deliver their messages. One of the earliest public speakers was the Old Testament prophet Moses, who had to regularly address multitudes of Hebrew slaves as he led them out of Egypt en route to the Promised Land. Throughout history civilizations have depended on eloquent speakers to inform and uplift audiences for various causes. In fact, some ancient Greek and Roman speeches continue to be read and studied as literature.

The Ancient Greeks

About 2,500 years ago in ancient Athens young men had to make speeches as citizens. Athens was one of history's earliest and most radical democratic governments, in which public speaking was an important part of everyday life. During this time Greek citizens met in the marketplace (agora) for debating politics and economic issues. Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, noted Greek speakers living during the fourth and third centuries B.C. were known for their speeches on democracy.

The "Attic Ten"

Because the people didn't have lawyers for defending themselves, it was necessary for individual citizens to have the needed skills for presenting their cases. The "Attic Ten" were Greek speechmakers who formed schools which produced famous students such as Demosthenes, who's still regarded as the greatest ancient Greek orator. Demonsthnes had a straightforward speaking style lacking rhetorical flair. Although his speeches were popular, this manner of speaking was thought to be almost vulgar for the standards of his time period.

The Romans

Rome followed Athens as the ancient world's leader in politics, the military and philosophy. As a young man in his 20s, Marcus Tullius Cicero, pleaded cases in the public forum during the first century B.C. This leading Roman orator, politician, lawyer and philosopher developed the five canons of rhetoric, which continues to be used in modern-day law courtrooms. The five canons include invention, arrangement, style, memory and delivery. In the second century A.D., the Roman Forum was built, which was used for public speaking.

America's Early Public Speakers

Through their intense speeches, persuasive colonial speakers urged the American colonists to take action. Powerful orators addressed the Colonial congresses and Constitutional Convention. A few of the most famous speeches from America's early days include Patrick Henry's noted "Liberty of Death" speech (1775) and the Farewell Address of George Washington. President Abraham Lincoln gave his famous "Gettysburg Address" in 1863, followed by forceful debates and anti-slavery speeches which helped end slavery in the United States.

20th Century Developments

Public speaking was first taught in American by Dale Carnegie in 1908. Tufts University aired the first radio broadcast in 1916, leading the way for the first speeches given to mass radio audiences. Toastmasters, an organization formed to help train public speakers, began in 1924. The first scheduled television service began in 1928, leading the way for communication using visual technology. Dr. Martin Luther King delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which called for ending racism in America.

The Internet

In the 1980s the history of Internet mass communication began with pioneer services providing worldwide public speaking to the first Internet users. By the 1990s the Internet was booming as more speakers on the web carried their messages around the world. The popular YouTube service began in 2005, which allowed amateur speakers wide exposure in communicating. Since then, speakers ranging from political candidates to comedians have been spreading their messages globally through online video sharing.

References

• History of Public Speaking
• Public Speaking History

Resources

• History of Public Speaking