1Introduction: Sophists, Historians, and Storytellers of All Kinds: Where Lies the Notion of Genre?

During the Roman Empire, Greek literature, particularly in prose, flourished thanks to the rhetorical exercises of paideia . Authors often aimed to showcase their personal talents while also remaining faithful to the great works of the classical period. The fusion of tradition and innovation characterises the literary landscape of the era. However, due to the fluid nature of literary development, it proves challenging to delineate a definitive genre system. My objective in this paper is to analyse the vocabulary employed by authors of the period when referencing their own works or those of others. Through this analysis, I aim to discern whether a notion of genre is implied and whether this notion is rooted in the inherent characteristics of the works rather than their reception. I will begin by examining the vocabulary employed in Philostratus’ Lives of the Sophists ; subsequently, I will explore the portrayal of history and/or historiography as a narrative form, including its eventual associated features; lastly, I will examine dialogue as an innovative form.