Religion on the Rostrum: <i>Euchomai</i> Prayers in the Texts of Attic Oratory

Abstract This paper examines the use of prayers that are denoted by verb euchomai , and their function as a means affecting cognitive/emotional disposition people in forensic, symbouleutic epideictic orations. It is argued (references to) may be explicit or implicit character, they serve variety purposes: to secure goodwill audience for speaker; present his character civic/political qualities positively, while attacking, undermining incriminating opponents religious political misconducts; invite court Assembly think inspected an invisible yet omnipresent divine audience; refer patriotism; triangulate relations between speaker, audience.