Final answer:
True, rhetorical ideas developed during the Second Sophistic, a period of cultural flourishing in Roman times where Greek orators promoted sophisticated oratory and where sophists emphasized the art of persuasion.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement is True: Rhetorical ideas indeed developed during the Second Sophistic, a period that witnessed a revival of the sophistic movement and its rhetorical and cultural expressions within the Roman Empire, primarily between the first and third centuries CE. This period saw Greek orators, who were the primary agents of this movement, flourish in a culture that promoted elaborate and sophisticated oratory. It was characterized by a return to the elaborate and grandiose style of the classical sophists and was deeply intertwined with the cultural and political life of the time.
During this era, sophists like Philostratus and Libanius revived the teaching and use of rhetoric, emphasizing linguistic virtuosity and public performance. This was a time when educators and lawyers used rhetoric to achieve success and influence within society. Although not considered philosophers in a strict sense, they contributed significantly to the understanding and application of rhetoric by championing the stylistic and persuasive aspects of language.
The rhetorical ideas and education provided by these sophists were essential for success in public and political life, much like their predecessors during the classical period in Athens. However, it should be noted that while the Second Sophistic did see development in rhetorical ideas, it was not the origin of these concepts, as rhetoric had been well established in Greece since long before, notably by figures such as Socrates and Aristotle.