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Article published In: Exploring (im)politeness in ancient languages
Edited by Kim Ridealgh
[Journal of Historical Pragmatics 20:2] 2019
► pp. 225–243

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Seneca’s De Beneficiis and non-verbal politeness in ancient Rome

 | University of Otago, New Zealand
Published online: 10 December 2019
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https://doi.org/10.1075/jhp.00030.hal
Abstract
This paper examines the philosophical treatise De Beneficiis written by Seneca the Younger (c. 4 bce to 65 ce) and discusses some of the insights that it offers regarding the pragmatics of interpersonal encounters in ancient Rome. In particular, it identifies types of appropriate and inappropriate non-verbal behaviour sometimes employed when making requests. Seneca’s close observation of these social nuances alerts us to the importance of non-verbal elements for a complete understanding of (im)politeness in everyday life.
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.The Roman social context
  • 3.Seneca’s evidence: Methodological issues
    • 3.1A modern example
  • 4.Seneca on facial expression
    • 4.1Initiating a social exchange
    • 4.2Asking for a favour: The petitioner’s facial expression
    • 4.3Bestowing a favour: The donor’s facial expression
    • 4.4Receiving a favour: The petitioner’s facial expression
    • 4.5Refusing a request: The donor’s facial expression
    • 4.6Receiving a refusal: The petitioner’s facial expression
  • 5.Conclusion
  • References
References (45)
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Cited by (1)

Cited by one other publication

Unceta Gómez, Luis
2019. Conceptualizations of linguistic politeness in Latin. Journal of Historical Pragmatics 20:2 ► pp. 286 ff. DOI logo

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