ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates only on the rediscovery of classical educational thought that constitutes Isocratic Renaissance humanism. During the Renaissance, the search for a fully-rounded secular personality by the layman was bound to lead to a revival of the Isocratean ideal. The humanism of the Italian Renaissance was an educational movement which grew directly from the Isocratic thought and practice of the medieval rhetoricians. In conformity with the political views offered by Isocrates in To Nicocles, Erasmus regards education as the means by which the regime is maintained in accordance with his political doctrine. The educational ideas of Renaissance humanism generally, and of Erasmus and Isocrates in particular, were given their first expression in English by Sir Thomas Elyot. The Elizabethan humanist, Roger Ascham presupposes the Isocratic idea of education. In his view, the duty of "scholars and learners", that is, teachers and students, is to serve their monarch. Ascham was influenced by Isocrates throughout his life.
