Roman Declamation in the Late Republic and Early Empire

Abstract

IT is pleasant to see how the despised study of rhetoric flourishes; this book illuminates an important subject, at the same time providing its admirable documentation a concise, full, up-to-date conspectus of the sources, primary and secondary. The first two chapters are historical. Mr. Bonner derives suasoria and controversia respectively from the philosophical Oaos and the practical bir6bE~ELs, especially as the latter was developed the doctrine of arTha~ces (constitutions of legal cases). He emphasizes-rightly, view of his later argument-this historical relationship between declamation and the legalistic jungle of the constitutiones. A sketch of the history of Roman declamation follows, from the second century B.c. to the days of Seneca the Elder. The treatment of Cicero is excellent, and one might add here that those who fulminate most vigorously against declamation must explain why this highly practical lawyer continued to declaim until the end of his life: Cicero's last known declamation took place at Puteoli April of 44 B.C. Mr. Bonner's analysis of the changes declamation Seneca's day is sound even though it adds little that is new; but he does emphasize the fact, too often and too easily overlooked, that although law-schools existed as early as Augustus, only declamation trained lawyers equity. Chapter three describes actual declamatory procedure of the first century B.c., and then details the chief rhetorical characteristics of the extant declamations. The best part of this is the clear definitions of sententiae, divisiones, and colores, and the emphasis on descriptio, the digressive purple patch which so strongly influenced Silver Latin literature. Next comes a valuable discussion of loci communes, declamatory i~0os and 7r0o0s, Asianism vs. Atticism style, the Latinity of the declaimers, their technical terms, their emphasis on brevity and point, and their rhetorical devices of style from alliteration to zeugma. The remarkable fact about ancient criticism of declamation (chapter four) is the almost universal chorus of execration: Seneca the Elder and Asinius Pollio are moderate but the rest are merciless. Mr. Bonner quotes from Cassius Severus, Votienus Modestus (the most searching of all ancient critics of the practice of declamation), and others, but clearly sympathizes with the views of the eminently sensible Quintilian; modern critics, he suggests, should realize that in evaluating these criticisms of Qiintilian we must always remember that he had not only spent a lifetime teaching and writing but had also pleaded . .. the courts .... There is every reason..,. why we should have faith his judgment when he claims. . . that. . . declamation is useful not only to the young student but to the orator of established reputation . . . , a judgment, one might add, which is accord with the known practice of Cicero