The ancient beginnings of public relations

West facade of the Parthenon, Athens, 5th century BCE

When you hear the words public relations, what comes to your mind?  For many people, they know what it is in a general sense, but can’t quite find the words to define it.  I saw this firsthand when I told others that I was accepted into the public relations program.  At first, they were very excited for me, but then I would watch as a puzzled look came over their faces where they would then ask me, “now what exactly is public relations?”  

By definition, public relations is creating mutually beneficial relationships with key publics.  Public relations has been around longer than many of us even know and realize. The beginnings are traced back to Ancient Greece where philosophers such as Aristotle and Plato aided public speakers in their ability to persuade the people by expounding on rhetoric.  Writing on the art of rhetoric and persuading key publics grew at an even more rapid rate when the printing press was invented.  This allowed for publishing and distributing pamphlets to the masses, which then led to the spread of propaganda.  This is seen especially during the reformation with the various acts of protest and piety. 

Though there have been controversies over whether public relations specialists are necessary in today’s world, without them, who would calm the nerves of the public during an outbreak of a food borne illness?  Or get individuals on board for a worthy and respectable cause?  Or create good relationships from business to business to eliminate issues? Public relations professionals have a way of handling problems that arise in a very natural sort of way. Sprezzatura is absolutely ingrained in any individual who pursues a career in this field, as all of their work needs to be done in a very natural and effective kind of way. The art of public relations has been around since the beginnings of ancient Greece, as previously discussed, because they were necessary at that time.  Who is to say that our world is that much different that we no longer have a need for them?  Only time will tell.

Image credit: Mark Cartwright, 2014