Representations

III The Practising Orator

“…52 When Cicero prosecuted Verres he took a great deal of care to present his action as a defence of the Sicilians from the predations of their former governor. 53 When he considered the ethics of prosecution much later in On Duties he argued that a single prosecution could be regarded as legitimate, especially given the benefit that could follow for the state, but habitual prosecution was not acceptable. 54 Savage penalties were laid down for those who undertook mischievous prosecutions.…”

“…Cicero himself used examples drawn from Roman history with great frequency in his speeches, 59 including references which are grounded in the physical setting of his oratory. 60 So, for example, in his speech On Behalf of Scaurus from 54 B.C., he draws his audience's attention to the monuments which they can see around the Roman Forum which are connected with Scaurus' distinguished ancestors and relatives. 61 Through the use of shared history, articulated through familiar stories, Roman orators can appeal to their audience by constructing them as a privileged and exclusive group.…”

“…60 So, for example, in his speech On Behalf of Scaurus from 54 B.C., he draws his audience's attention to the monuments which they can see around the Roman Forum which are connected with Scaurus' distinguished ancestors and relatives. 61 Through the use of shared history, articulated through familiar stories, Roman orators can appeal to their audience by constructing them as a privileged and exclusive group. 62 Many of the concerns examined in this chapter came together in a vigorous set of exchanges about oratorical style from the 50s and 40s B.C.…”