Attic orators constitute an important source of information both for history and for the Athenian democracy of the classical period. The aim of the course “Attic Orators” is to familiarize students with all kinds of rhetorical speech, and to understand the different stylistic and rhetorical features of some major rhetorical tricks, such as Lysias, Antiphon, Andokides, Aeschines, Demosthenes and Isocrates. The course consists of two parts, first an introduction to the art of rhetoric and the Attic law in the 5th and 4th centuries (1 hour) and secondly the analysis of selected rhetorical texts, representing all kinds of rhetoric, deliberative, epideictic and forensic (2 hours). Particular emphasis will be given on forensic arguments used in private and public affairs, reflecting the political, social and historical reality of Athens in the 5th and 4th century.