Notes on Roman Rhetoric

(Originally written January 17, 2007)

Readings from Classical Rhetoric
Edited by: Patricia P. Matsen, Philip Rollingen, Marion Sousa

pp 161-167

Greco-Roman Rhetoric

The Hellenistic culture had a profound effect upon the Roman world.

Greek education, including rhetoric was incorporated into Roman life. After being tutored privately, middle class and wealthy youths went to pursue advanced rhetoric education at either Athens, Rhodes or Pergamum.

Rhetoric ad Herennium
author: unknown

Overview of Rhetoric

Anything of speaking is useless without continuous practice.

"The task of the public speaker is to discuss capably these matters which law and custom have fixed for the uses of citizenship, and to secure as far as possible the agreement of his hearers" (16).

Three types of speech:
1) Epideictic - praise or blame
2) Deliberative - policy making
3) Judicial - legal controversies

A speaker should possess the faculties of:
1) Invention - devising of matter
2) Arrangement - ordering of the matter
3) Style - adaptation of words
4) Memory - firm retention of the matter, words and arrangement
5) Delivery - graceful regulation of voice, countenance and gesture

The faculties needed are acquired by:
1) Theory - definite method and system of speaking
2) Imitation
3) Practice - exercise

Introductions

Introductions must match type of speech.

Two kinds of introductions:
1) The Direct Opening (Greek: Prooimion)
2) The subtle Approach (Ephodos)

The Direct Opening prepares the hearer to attend to the speech.

If the subject matter of the speech is controversial, the Direct opening will be based on good-will so that "the discreditable part of the cause cannot be prejudicial to us" (164).

There are four ways to make the hearer well-disposed
1) Discussing one's own person
2) Discussing the person of one's adversaries
3) Discussing the person of one's hearers
4) Discussing the facts themselves

There are three occasions when one cannot use the Direct Opening:
1) When the cause is discreditable
2) When the subject alienates the hearer from the speaker
3) When the hearer has become wearied by listening to the previous speakers

If the subject has a discreditable character make the introduction with the following points:
1) The agent, not the action, ought to be considered
2) When the agent/speaker is displeased with the acts of one's opponents

If the hearers are fatigued, one should open with something that may provoke laughter

Conclusions

Conclusions (Greek: Epilogoi) are tripartite
1) Summing up
2) Amplification
3) Appeal to Pity

A conclusion can be used in four places:
1) At the end of the direct opening
2) after the statement of facts
3) after the strongest argument
4) at the conclusion of the speech

Summing up includes recalling of the main points briefly

Amplification is the principle of using common places to stir the hearers.

The first common place is taken from authority.
The second common place is used when we consider who are affected by these acts.
The third common place is asking what would happen if the same indulgence should be granted to all culprits.
The fourth common place is indulging the man
The fifth common place is one judgment is pronounced otherwise than as we urge.
The sixth common place we show that the act was done with premeditation.
The seventh common place is to show it as a crime.
The eighth common place is to show that a common crime is unique.
The ninth common place consists of a comparison of wrongs.
The tenth common place is a sharp examination.