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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

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

| University of Otago, New Zealand

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.

Keywords: De Beneficiis , facial expression, non-verbal politeness, refusals, requests, Seneca (the Younger)
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
Published online: 10 December 2019
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/jhp.00030.hal
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