Progymnasmata: educational exercises from antiquity, still relevant today

Session moderated by François Héran.
Each 30' presentation will be followed by a 10' discussion.

Abstract

The progymnasmata are a double series of rhetorical exercises of varied origins, formed into a coherent pedagogical cycle during the Hellenistic period, taught and transmitted from Antiquity to the ^19th century in Europe, with the aim of making the pupil (an adolescent) a master of the discursive forms necessary for socio-cultural interaction and citizenship. The talk will focus on the progressive series and its principles (from the simple to the complex, from the playful to the logical), on the accompanying exercises, and their common aim of making the student autonomous in the practical and critical mastery of all types of discourse.

Pierre Chiron

Professor of Greek language and literature at the University of Paris-Est-Créteil (1998-2018). President of the ^8th section of the Conseil national des universités (2011-2015). Member of the Institut Universitaire de France (two delegations : 2008-2013/2013-2018). Director (2008-2013) of École doctorale 529 " Cultures et Sociétés " at Université Paris-Est. President (2020-2024) of the Société internationale de bibliographie classique, owner and manager of the L'Année Philologique database.