rhéteurs

Rhéteurs, also known as Sophists, were a class of itinerant professional teachers of rhetoric and philosophy in ancient Greece, particularly prominent in the 5th century BCE. They offered instruction in persuasive speaking, argumentation, and other skills deemed essential for success in public life, politics, and law. The term "sophist" originally meant "wise man" or "expert," but later acquired a negative connotation, implying someone who uses clever but misleading arguments.

Prominent figures among the Rhéteurs included Protagoras, Gorgias, and Hippias. They taught that virtue could be taught and that certain skills, like rhetoric, were paramount for civic engagement and personal advancement. Their methods often involved teaching by example and through lectures and debates. Rhéteurs played a significant role in the intellectual and cultural development of Athens, contributing to the growth of democracy and public discourse.

However, their emphasis on winning arguments, sometimes at the expense of truth, drew criticism from philosophers like Plato. Plato, in his dialogues, often depicted Rhéteurs as manipulative figures who prioritized appearance over substance, leading to the enduring association of sophistry with specious reasoning. Despite this criticism, the Rhéteurs undeniably shaped educational practices and intellectual thought in the ancient world.