Abdicatio loquax. Padri e figli: aspetti della comunicazione e della relazione nella raccolta di controversie di Seneca il Vecchio

The argument of this thesis was chosen as a consequence of the great importance of the parental autorithy (patria potestas) in the ancient world. Into the ten books of controversiae there are numerous references to a much-discussed measure called abdicatio. It concerns largely causae abdicationis (the filius abdicatus tries to obtein the revocation of the abdicatio), and also causae dementiae (the filiusfamilias brings an action against the father, charging him with insanity). It is not accident that the greatest number of latin declamations revolves around domestic quarrels. The abdicatio represents a crucial moment, because it entails the dissolution of the family relationship. The primary aim of this research is the analysis of the rhetorical-argumentative strategies used in the conflict between father and son (with great attention to the doctrine of status causae, loci argumentorum, and furthermore paradoxa,  , etc.). The text offers a precious repertoire of examples. The declamatory discourse, as a school exercise, can enjoy relative freedom as regards the juridical proceedings and the financial standing. The declamatores highlighted the relational aspects of the case. Hence, in addiction to the traditional methodology (with reference to rhetoric, anthropological, stylistic, juridical aspects of the text), as the confrontation between father-son is basically a ‘conflict of power’, I have fruitfully recourse to application of pragmatics (theory formulated by several scholars of Palo Alto’s Mental Research Institute). This modern theory studies the influence of the communication on the human behaviour. I have observed significant analogies in the use of communicative techniques from antiquity to modernity.