History of Rhetorical Theory Exam #2 ch.5

What role did rhetoric play during the Roman Republic?

Rhetoric was central to political, social, and legal life. It enabled discourse between unequal classes, shaped policy through public speaking (contio in the Forum), structured Senate debates, and was essential in courtroom trials. Political success required eloquence.

What was the contio?

A public assembly in the Roman Forum where politicians addressed ordinary citizens. Public reaction influenced policy decisions.

Why was rhetoric politically necessary in the Roman Republic?

Persuasive speaking in the Senate and assemblies was crucial for forging agreements, alliances, legislation, and expansion.

How did rhetoric help manage inequality in Rome?

It allowed structured discourse between upper and lower classes and helped create collaborative governance despite social inequality.

How did rhetoric's role change during the Roman Empire?

It diminished in importance because emperors exercised power through coercion and force. Open deliberative rhetoric was discouraged, though the Senate remained.

What was eloquence?

Skill in the spoken word; mastery of persuasive expression.

Why was eloquence highly valued in Rome?

Because eloquence combined with wisdom benefited the state. It led to political influence, social advancement, and civic leadership.

Who was Cicero?

Rome's most influential orator and rhetorical theorist; philosopher, lawyer, politician; considered the greatest Roman orator.

What was Cicero's reputation?

A "new man" (political outsider) who rose to power through talent and intellect; set the standard for elegant Latin; master public performer.

What are Cicero's Five Canons of Rhetoric?

Invention (Inventio) - discovering arguments

Arrangement (Dispositio) - organizing arguments

Style (Elocutio) - choosing effective language

Memory (Memoria) - memorizing speech

Delivery (Pronuntiatio) - voice and gesture

What is the Stasis System?

anticipating points of conflict; allowed speakers to anticipate counterarguments and to identify strengths and weaknesses in their argument

What are the four stasis questions in Cicero?

1. issues of fact/conjecture

2. issues of definition

3. issues of quality

4. issues of procedure

issues of fact/conjecture (coniectura)

"conjecturing" about the fact at issue, whether or not something had been done at a particular time by a particular person

issues of definition

arises after there is agreement about the fact of what happened, but disagreement about what to call it; classifying or categorizing the act.

issues of quality

concerns the severity or character of the act once it has been defined; evaluates the act's seriousness, intent, or circumstances

issues of procedure

arises when there is disagreement about how the case is being conducted rather than about the act itself

What are Cicero's topical systems?

Argumentative angles focusing on:

Attributes of the person and attributes of the act

Attributes of the person

argumentative "angles" based on characteristics of the individual involved in the case. If you're arguing a case, you can support or attack someone by examining who they are

attributes of the act

These are argumentative angles focused on the action itself. Instead of focusing on the person, you analyze the event itself from every angle.

What was De Inventione?

Cicero's early work adapting Greek rhetoric to Roman judicial purposes; emphasized courtroom rhetoric, stasis theory, and the union of wisdom and eloquence.

What was Rhetorica ad Herennium?

An anonymous Latin rhetorical text; broadened rhetoric education beyond Greek elites; emphasized stasis, courtroom argument, and structured invention.

What did De Inventione and Rhetorica ad Herennium emphasize?

Judicial rhetoric

Stasis theory

Legal reasoning

Structured argument invention

Topical systems

Who was Quintilian?

Rome's most famous rhetoric teacher; author of Institutes of Oratory; emphasized moral character in rhetoric.

What was Quintilian's definition of rhetoric?

"The art of the good citizen skilled in speaking."

What is the perfectus orator?

The ideal complete orator: a morally good person with exceptional speaking ability.

How did Quintilian differ from Cicero?

He emphasized moral character than persuasive political influence.

What are indefinite questions

Speculative, no specific person/time/place

What are definite questions?

Specific individuals and circumstances (judicial cases)

What are Quintilian's judicial bases (stasis)?

Existence (fact)

Definition

Quality

What were the 5 parts of a speech Quintilian taught his students?

indefinite vs definite questions, bases, proof, loci, and the parts of a judicial speech

existence

a question of fact. It asks whether something actually happened or occurred. In a judicial case, this is the issue of determining what took place.

definition

a question of categorization. It involves defining or classifying the act or event—deciding what kind of act it was once its occurrence is established.

quality

a question of severity or evaluation. After the act has been defined, this base concerns how serious it was and what its nature or moral weight should be considered.

What types of proof did Quintilian accept?

Eyewitness testimony

Common agreement

Laws and contracts

Confessions

Quintilian's loci approach

Practiced to develop habits of thought; when individuals are faced with an infinite number of contexts and questions, no one can prepare for everything, we follow Quintilian's model of developing habits of thought that can be deployed with appropriate agility and sophistication; Habit-forming mental categories used to analyze arguments flexibly.

ante rem

Events preceding the act in one loci system.

in re

what occurred in the act itself (loci system)

circa rem

what circumstances surrounded the act

post rem

what events followed the act

What are the five parts of a judicial speech according to Quitilian?

Exordium (introduction)

Narratio (statement of facts)

Confirmatio (proof)

Confutatio (refutation)

Peroratio (conclusion)

exordium

an introduction designed to dispose the audience to listen to the speech

narratio

statement of the facts essential to understanding the case and intended to reveal the essential nature of the subject about which they were to render a decision

confirmatio/proof

a section designed to offer evidence in support of claims advanced during the narratio

confutatio

refutation, counterarguments were answered

peroratio

conclusion, a section in which the orator demonstrated the full strength of the case presented

What is Institutes of Oratory?

Quintilian's comprehensive educational guide from childhood to mature orator.

What does Institutes of Oratory cover?

advocates a clear style, avoiding the ornamental excesses that mark much of Roman rhetoric.

reiterated Cicero's five rhetorical canons,

elevated the ideal of the perfectus orator

the loci system

How did Roman education treat rhetoric?

It was central to elite education. Initially oral (memorization and recitation), later more written and stylistic under Cicero and Quintilian.

What was controversia?

Advanced mock judicial speeches for aspiring courtroom orators.

What was suasoria?

Elementary practice speech advising a public figure.

What is On the Sublime?

A treatise (likely by Longinus) about the emotional power of language and the impact of great ideas expressed beautifully.

What is "the sublime"?

a measure of the impact that literature combining emotion and great ideas has on readers; The overwhelming emotional and intellectual impact of elevated language.

How does On the Sublime connect to earlier rhetoric?

Reflects Gorgias' interest in stylistic power and emotional impact.

How did rhetoric reflect the Roman Republic's political environment?

It encouraged rational debate, public persuasion, and structured legal reasoning in a semi-democratic system.

How did rhetoric reflect the Roman Empire?

It shifted away from open political deliberation and toward stylistic display and moral instruction.

Why was teaching rhetoric in Latin controversial?

Greek was considered elite and prestigious; Latin instruction broadened access and shifted educational authority.

Why is Cicero considered foundational in Western rhetoric?

He synthesized Greek theory with Roman practice, formalized the five canons, and shaped rhetorical education for centuries.

complete orator (as Quintilian describes)

a conservative citizen and an honorable person, one who adds to virtue natural gifts honed through careful practice and instruction; must be of good character/a good person, and possess exceptional gifts of speech