Theon's Theory of Biography

BIOGRAPHICAL THEORY

THEON the Rhetorician, in his Progymnastica (2nd half of 1st cent. A.D.) gives a scheme for preparing material for a biographical encomiastic treatment.

I. EXTERNAL EXCELLENCES OF THE SUBJECT:

(1) NOBLE BIRTH
(2) ENVIRONMENT
(a) The native city
(b) Fellow citizens
(c) City's political organization
(d) Parents and family situation

(3) PERSONAL ADVANTAGES:
(a) Education
(b) Friends
(c) Fame
(d) Public services
(e) Wealth
(f) Children
(g) Death (happy)

II. BODILY EXCELLENCES OF THE SUBJECT:

(1) Health
(2) Strength
(3) Beauty
(4) Vitality and Capacity for deep feeling

III. SPIRITUAL & INTELLECTUAL EXCELLENCES OF THE SUBJECT:

(1) VIRTUES:
(a) Wisdom
(b) Temperance
(c) Courage
(d) Justice
(e) Piety
(f) Nobility
(g) Sense of greatness

(2) RESULTS OF VIRTUE:

                      (a) in terms of objectives:
                                 (1) Altruism
                                 (2) Pursuit of good, not of utility or pleasure
                                 (3) Public interest
                                 (4) Braving risks and dangers
                      (b) in terms of circumstances:
                                 (1) Timely
                                 (2) Original
                                 (3) Done alone
                                 (4) Done more than others
                                 (5) Few or no helpers
                                 (6) Maturity

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September 14, 2006 4:59 PM

John Paul Adams, CSUN
john.p.adams@csun.edu