Panegy are eulogies that were popular during the heyday of oratory in Ancient Greece. This literary tradition continues to exist today and is quite common.
Modern eulogies - what is it?
A eulogy has a certain meaning, it describes a person's life in terms of achievements. Some of the facts commonly included in eulogies are:
- When and where the deceased was born.
- Baby nicknames.
- Names of parents (and where they met and married).
- Brothers and sisters.
- Early childhood - places and interests.
- Schools, successes, awards.
- Professional qualifications and achievements.
- Some interesting cases from childhood.
- Detailed information about marriage, children, significant relationships.
- Sports achievements.
- Hobbies, interests, travel, hobbies, etc.
- Details of historical significance.
- Preferences, likes and dislikes.
"Eulogy": the meaning of the word
The etymology of the concept comes from the Latin panegyricus, which means "speech at a public meeting". Panegyrics are public performances in honor of some person, object, or achievement. The form of such a eulogy can be both oral and written.
Also translated from Greek panegyric (emphasis on the third syllable) means any praise that was used to extol certain people, events, and so on.
Ancient panegyrics were often accompanied by a certain amount of servility and servility. They clearly showed the desire and desire to establish in the public mind the significance of the most important and characteristic representatives of society.
Synonyms and antonyms
Among the synonyms of the described word are the following:
- praise;
- praise;
- celebration;
- anthem;
- ode;
- greeting;
- tribute;
- praise;
- recognition;
- acclamation;
- applause;
- compliment.
And what is the antonym for the word "eulogy"? There are several suitable options, among which the following stand out:
- reprimand;
- condemnation;
- indictment;
- reproach;
- reprimand;
- exhortation;
- lecture;
- sermon;
- exposure;
- tirade;
- scold;
- swearing.
What are eulogies? Examples
Any eulogy like this implies enthusiasm, as a eulogy refers to a prepared speech that extols the virtues of a particular person. This is a kind of thoughtful and often poetic compliment.
In classical rhetoric, it is recognized as a form of ceremonial speech. Not all eulogies were of a serious nature, including the panegyric (an example of this is Erasmus of Rotterdam's Praise of Stupidity, written in the 16th century). Its purpose was to ridicule class confrontations.
Panegyrics in Ancient Greece
In Athens, such speeches were once made at national festivals, during theatrical performances, folk celebrations or sports and games. This was done to awaken the desire of citizens to remember and praise the glorious deeds of their ancestors.
The best known are Olympiacus Gorgias, Olympiacus Lysias, and the Panathenaicus and Panegyricus (eulogy) of Isocrates (486-338 BC) who called for Hellenic political unity.
Excerpts from Isocrates' speech at the Panhellenic Festival
The following eulogy is known (an example of a eulogy for a solemn event): We have gathered in one place where we offer our prayers and sacrifices, which remind us of the relationship that exists between us and of a benevolent attitude towards each other in the future, reviving our oldfriends and making new connections. … The Greeks have the opportunity to show their prowess, and others can see them vying against each other in games. … And the whole world came to see them.” (Isocrates, Panegyricus, 380 BC)
Isocrates was an outstanding ancient Greek orator and publicist. His speeches and political instructions were used as a powerful educational tool. He is called a follower of Lysias and a student of Gorgias, who was one of the founders of the art of eloquence. Socrates himself once said about him that in Isocrates the love of wisdom was laid down by nature itself. The speaker had a special passion for solemn and public eloquence.
Life's work and unfulfilled hopes
Isocrates' eulogy was completely politicized. The red thread in the speech, over which the author pored over for about 10 years, was the idea of the unity of the Athenians with the inhabitants of Sparta for a joint confrontation in the fight against the Persians. According to its composition, the Panegyric is divided into two parts. They solemnly highlight the fatherland and its rich heroic past, as well as numerous blessings on a global scale, including the development of the Balkans, scientific inventions, the emergence of major trade routes.
It goes without saying, according to the speaker, that all this gave the Athenians an unshakable right to lead other Greeks and take a leading position in the fight against savages and barbarians. At the end of his epic, Isocrates instructs his listeners. However, it is not only about the holy war and the unity of the Hellenes. He boldly and defiantly calls on other speakers tostopped talking about all sorts of nonsense and made at least an attempt to surpass his work in eloquence.
The panegyric of Isocrates is indeed a skillfully constructed literary masterpiece, in which the plasticity of colorful and sensually perceived figures gives way to a somewhat different kind of visualization, the characteristic feature of which is logical clarity. Despite the justice and reasonableness of his point of view, Isocrates still failed to achieve what he wanted. History had its own plans for this. Refusing food and disillusioned with his illusory fantasies, the great orator died in 337. Peaceful unification of the Hellenes proved impossible, and the lack of mutual concessions ultimately led to a bloody battle.
Modern cultures and religions include in their funeral rituals and eulogies in honor of the departed. In this case, the eulogy acts as a parting word and a sign of respect for the dead.
