2 78 Harry M. Huhhell, Ph.D., 



in his book on rhetoric of expressions Hke this : "schools of 

 rhetoric," "the ability produced 'by the schools," "profession," 

 "instruction about speeches and enthymemes" and the like? 

 I, 78, 19 ff. Turning to Hermarchus, we find the same opinion in an epistle 



= Suppl. 39, J.Q Theophides. Alexinus in his work on education criticized the 

 rhetorical sophists for wasting their time on investigation of use- 

 less subjects, such as diction, memory, and the interpretation of 

 obscure passages in the poets. He added, "We can grant that 

 they try to speak about useful subjects, by which it is possible 

 to settle questions of philosophy ; for if they do not possess 

 iiTLCTTrjixr] they do use conjecture which is the instrument of the 

 rhetor." To this Hermarchus replied, "If by speaking about 

 useful subjects he means speaking about -such matters as will 

 bring them pecuniary reward, he is insane." 

 I, 81, 3ff. Hermarchus then continues [Lacuna in which was shown the 



_ upp . 40, useiesgness of these so-called useful subjects which the rhetori- 

 cians discuss:] "It is better to lose one's property than to keep 

 it by lawsuits which disturb the calm of the soul." 

 I, 82, 24flf. Nor can we praise the rhetors for teaching' their pupils to give 



— Suppl. 41, advice on public questions. Hermarchus says : "If he says that 

 the rhetors deserve admiration for being useful statesmen his 

 statement will not stand the test. For cooks and carpenters give 

 useful advice which need not be put in the form of a speech. 

 Similarly any farmer without rhetorical training, even without 

 elementary education can discover what is useful for the state. 

 I, 84, 31 = Furthermore, what are we to make of Alexinus' statement that 



Suppl. 42, I. rhetorical speeches depend not on knowledge but on experience 

 and conjecture? He cannot mean that they have no dialectical 

 syllogisms. At any rate he rebukes Eubulides for despising 

 speeches without syllogisms." 



We have given these last quotations in case anyone desires to 



have them, realizing" that they will seem to have been written 



about some other subject than the one under discussion.^* 



J Or 27= Metrodorus in the first book of his ITepi Trotr^/xttTwv seems to 



Suppl. 42, indicate clearly that rhetoric is an art. Speaking with one who 



^^' had written on poetics he says, "Until some proof is brought 



"In this remark of Philodemus we have a na'ive admission of the weak- 

 ness of his case. His attempt to find exact statements in Epicurean 

 authorities to support his position is not particularly successful. 



