Can PR be traced all through the civilization?

PR was never considered a profession till the 20^th century. It was only in this period, PR blossomed as a professional endeavor. But surprisingly enough it can be traced to the roots, throughout the civilization.

Edward Bernays, the father of PR, used information to manipulate the mass by satisfying their inner selfish needs. He wrote, “The three main elements of public relations are practically as old as society: informing people, persuading people, or integrating people with people. Of course, the means and methods of accomplishing these ends have changed as society has changed.

Here let me remind you once again that Public Relations is nothing but highlighting your brand image. So public relations existed at the time of Caesar. Surprising isn't it? Here are few instances from the history that you would have often heard of, but never related to as a form of PR.

1
 Julius Caesar carefully prepared the Romans for his crossing of the Rubicon in 49B.C.E. by sending reports such as “Caesar’s Gallic Wars” (52 B.C.E.) on his epic achievements as governor of Gaul. Caesar, recognizing the power of news to mold public opinion,  published a daily paper called Acta Diurna (“daily acts” or “daily records”) that continued for 400 years.

2

Leaders of ancient civilization such as Sumeria, Babylonia, Assyria, and Persia used poems and other writings to promote their prowess in battle and politics to promote their image as warriors.

3

The art and architecture in Egypt (statues, temples, tombs) was a medium through which priests, nobles, and scribes imposed their superiority among st the general.

4

In ancient Israel, the Bible and other religious texts became a powerful means for molding the public mind. With the growth of the Hellenic world, the word, both written and spoken, exploded as a force for social integration.