Ermagora di Temno e i ‘luoghi comuni’ (T 17 Woerther)

Abstract

This paper offers a new interpretation of a passage from Theon’s progymnasmatic manual (120.13‑20 Sp.), which is traditionally included among Hermagoras of Temnos’ ‘fragments’ (T 17 W.). Based on the text preserved by Theon’s Armenian tradition and on the comparison with the parallel sources, the following conclusions can be drawn: (a) the ‘fragment’ consists of two sections, which must be considered separately; (b) while the first part can be prudently linked to Hermagoras of Temnos only, the second one is certainly attributable to him and – if correctly contextualised – may reveal some interesting details about his theory of argumentation.

Keywords

• Cicero. Commonplace (locus communis; κοινὸς τόπος). De inventione. Fragmentary tradition. Hermagoras of Temnos. Rhetorical argumentation. Theon. Thesis (θέσις)