Anaxagoras is a missing author in the history of Greek rhetoric. His style has often seemed archaic and naive, unworthy of in-depth study. Nevertheless, the main so-called Gorgian figures are present in his fragments. They are not used with simply ornamental purposes but with a strongly expressive and even speculative intent. By examining in detail some texts (Lanza frr. B12; B6; B4), such systematicity and speculative depth of the use of the main rhetorical figures can be detected. Thus some conclusions about the contemporary Athenian culture can be inferred.

L’Odisseo attribuito ad Alcidamante è un discorso falso. Odisseo accusa Palamede con argomenti implausibili che finiscono per dimostrare più la malafede di Odisseo che la colpevolezza di Palamede. L’autore riprende schemi odissiaci già presenti in Omero e li ripropone attualizzandoli nel genere dell’orazione epidittico-giudiziaria. L’autore si serve di varianti mitiche rare o uniche, per alludere all’implausibilità degli argomenti sostenuti.

Pericles is said to have been affected by Anaxagoras and therefore having improved his speaking skills. A generic influence of philosophical studies is usually supposed but there may be a more specific reason: it was possible to interpret the works of meteorologoi in a limited way, strictly rhetorical, renouncing cosmological speculation but acquiring an effective instrument of persuasion. Some anecdotes in Pericles' life help to understand how this philosophy was translated into political action. Anaxagoras not only improved Pericles' speaking skills but also provided a model of behaviour for any contingency.

Pericles is said to have been affected by Anaxagoras and therefore having improved his speaking skills. A generic influence of philosophical studies is usually supposed but there may be a more specific reason: it was possible to interpret the works of meteorologoi in a limited way, strictly rhetorical, renouncing cosmological speculation but acquiring an effective instrument of persuasion. Some anecdotes in Pericles’ life help to understand how this philosophy was translated into political action. Anaxagoras not only improved Pericles’ speaking skills but also provided a model of behaviour for any contingency.