Roman Oratory: Persuasion, Rhetoric, and Cicero's Legacy

Roman Oratory: The Art of Persuasion

Oratory, the art of persuasion through words, was a cornerstone of Roman society. In the Republican political system, where there was sufficient freedom of speech and the judicial system enjoyed a certain independence, this literary genre became one of the most original and prolific expressions of Roman genius.

It served a dual purpose: as the most effective means of imposing one's will, and as a powerful political weapon to gain citizens' votes and influence the Senate's favor. Speech was essential in court cases. However, in the Imperial era, when political freedom and judicial independence diminished, public speaking transformed into a classroom activity, a literary genre exercised primarily within schools.

Technical Aspects of Roman Oratory

Oratory evolved into one of the most advanced literary genres. The techniques of rhetoric, or the art of effective speaking, were taught in schools by rhetoricians. While Roman schools existed, the main centers of rhetorical education were in Greece (Athens, Rhodes), where privileged young people from Roman society would travel to study.

From a literary point of view, there were three main trends or schools in the art of rhetoric:

• Attic School: Advocated simplicity and conciseness in discourse, in the manner of Lysias.
• Asian School: In contrast, this school favored abundance, amplitude, and a spirited, florid style.
• Rhodian School: Maintained the breadth, abundance, and brilliance of speech, but sought balance and good taste.

Marcus Tullius Cicero: Master Orator

Marcus Tullius Cicero was born in Arpino in 106 BCE, into a family of equites (knights). A student of the most famous orators and jurists of his time, Cicero delivered his first judicial speeches after Sulla's political triumph. He gained renown for his courageous defense of Roscius of Ameria.

He was elected quaestor in 76 BCE and held this position in Sicily, where he had the opportunity to defend the Sicilians against the extortions and robberies committed by Verres on the island. His consulate was marked by his successful action against the conspiracy of Catiline.

In 58 BCE, a tribune of the people, Clodius, passed a law against Cicero, leading him to prudently go into exile. His property was confiscated. In 51 BCE, he was appointed proconsul in Cilicia.

As the rivalry between Caesar and Pompey intensified, Cicero sided with Pompey, who represented the Senate and the aristocracy. After Pompey's defeat at Pharsalus (48 BCE), Cicero withdrew from political life. However, after Caesar's assassination in 44 BCE, he returned to action.

He confronted Mark Antony with fourteen speeches, uttered with extreme violence, which he called the Philippics. Cicero paid with his life for this political blunder and was assassinated in October 43 BCE. Cicero is widely considered the chief representative of Roman oratory.

Key Orations

Speeches Against Verres

Verres was a character who had become obnoxious due to his continued cruelty and lack of civic sense. When he was appointed propraetor in the province of Sicily, his arbitrariness reached its epitome. He was someone who above all wanted to acquire works of art, and he looted all shrines wherever he went.

Before being appointed propraetor in Sicily, he had done the same in the province of Africa. He enriched himself quickly and illegally, robbing individuals, confiscating wheat, and buying houses, jewels, and all kinds of goods for very little money. The people of Sicily, suffering from these atrocities, hired Cicero to accuse him of extortion in court.

Catilinarian Orations

These were a series of speeches delivered by Cicero exposing the conspiracy of Catiline to overthrow the Roman Republic.