Rhetoric in the earliest years of printing, 1465–1500

Abstract

This essay surveys the three types of rhetorical treatises printed in the incunabular period (i.e., to 1500): that is, ancient, medieval, and original works. Cicero's De oratore and Saint Augustine's De doctrina Christiana Book IV are identified as the earliest rhetorical works printed. First editions of medieval works and of other ancient works are listed. A sampling shows that Germany and France produced the greatest number of original works; they also produced the earliest vernacular rhetorical works while England and Italy had none. The article concludes with suggestions for further research.