Abstract

The purpose of this essay is to bring to light a previously untranslated Latin medieval rhetorical treatise from Castile-Juan Gil de Zamora's letter-writing manual Dictaminis Epithalamium, or The Marriage Song of Letter-Writing (c1277). Juan Gil (c1240-c1318) was among the first writers in Castile and Le�n to compose a rhetorical treatise on the technical elements of composition. In this essay I outline the theoretical and technical elements of Juan Gil's ars dictaminis-the salutation, narration, petition, and conclusion. To illustrate his precepts for letter-writing, I invent a letter using the technical rules he provides. I conclude by developing a theory of rhetoric for Juan Gil, focusing on how he conceives of the traditional canons of invention, arrangement, and style.