What characterized the Sophists in Ancient Greece?

The Sophists in Ancient Greece were known for being traveling teachers who emphasized the power of rhetoric and persuasion. They believed that the ability to argue a point effectively was more important than absolute truth. This approach reflected their relativistic view of knowledge, where they often suggested that truth could be subjective and dependent on individual perspectives. They taught their students how to succeed in public life by honing their persuasive skills, which often involved manipulating language and discourse.

This focus on eloquence and persuasion set the Sophists apart from philosophers who preferred to seek objective truths and universal principles, such as Socrates and Plato. In contrast, the other choices do not accurately represent the Sophists' core beliefs and practices: they did not reject persuasion, as it was central to their teaching; they did not focus on mathematical concepts specifically; and while some Sophists may have engaged with historical content, they were not solely concerned with history as their primary focus was on teaching the art of persuasion and debate.