Vietnam's Shadow

Constantine Mitzotakis, a professor at Stanford, explores how his experiences during the Vietnam War influenced his research on classical Athens. He examines the dynamics of public speaking in Athens, where speakers had to engage their audience and align their interests with the community. The Athenian speakers needed to establish credibility and demonstrate their elite credentials to be heard and respected.

How did the personal experiences of Constantine Mitzotakis influence his research on classical Athens?

What were the expectations of Athenian speakers in terms of audience engagement during their speeches?

What consequences did speakers face if they failed to engage their audience effectively?

Discuss the significance of aligning one's discourse with the interests of the audience in Athenian assemblies.

In what ways did Athenian speakers demonstrate their elite credentials during discourse?