Gorgias

Gorgias of Leontini (c. 483–375 BCE) was an ancient Greek sophist and orator who came from Sicily and became one of the most celebrated figures of early rhetorical training. As a prominent member of the Sophists, he taught persuasive speaking as a practical art and left behind fragments and testimonies that shaped later understandings of rhetoric. Among works attributed to him is the Encomium of Helen, a speech defending Helen of Troy against charges of blame.

Gorgias is typically associated with the view that rhetoric is a powerful instrument for persuading audiences in public life, such as courts and assemblies, and that skill in speech can win political advantage even without truth or knowledge. His writings are known primarily through later summaries and references, and they contributed to ongoing debates about the relationship between persuasion, truth, and moral virtue.

In Plato's dialogue Gorgias, named for him, Socrates engages with Gorgias along with Polus and Callicles in a discussion about the purpose and ethics of rhetoric. The dialogue presents a critical examination of rhetoric as a craft that may be used to do wrong, and it raises enduring questions about whether persuasion should be subordinated to truth and justice.

Gorgias's legacy extends to the development of rhetorical theory and the broader Sophist movement. He is frequently cited as an early figure whose ideas sparked debates about epistemology, ethics, and the social function of speech, influencing both ancient philosophy and the history of rhetoric.