In the Middles Ages the importance of public speaking grew less.
basically left out of the political decision making process.
They couldn't vote and held little political power, beyond the power to rebel.
even this was usually not much of a choice.
it had by no means the importance of classical times.
since Roman times. Alfabecy numbers had dropped rapidly since the decline of Rome.
among the ruler and religious elite.
that communicated something, typically who was in charge at a certain time.
and how citizens should behave.
with worldly leaders to get this message through.
and basically everything citizens should know, was communicated to the assembled people.
if the need arose. Other media also focused on visual and oral communication.
of thousands as they did in Classical times.
printed pamphlets with etchings or other figurative depictions were sometimes used.
that the printing press was invented in the fifteenth century by Johannes Gutenberg?
Well, actually, the printing press already existed long before this time.
basically every page had to be carved out in wood, stone or metal.
to make words and sentences.
and new words and pages could be formed.
towards a higher alfabecy level and the rise of a potential audience with buying power.
scholars again started to discuss the topic of communication on a meta level.
but also of our scientific discipline.