Author Description
Perhaps No Other Single Roman Speech Exemplifies The Connection Between Oratory, Politics And Imperialism Better Than Cicero's De Provinciis Consularibus, Pronounced To The Senate In 56 Bc. Cicero Puts His Talents At The Service Of The Powerful Triumviri (caesar, Crassus And Pompey), Whose Aims He Advances By Appealing To The Senators' Imperialistic And Chauvinistic Ideology. This Oration, Then, Yields Precious Insights Into Several Areas Of Late Republican Life: International Relations Between Rome And The Provinces (gaul, Macedonia And Judaea); The Senators' View On Governors, Publicani (tax-farmers) And Foreigners; The Dirty Mechanics Of High Politics In The 50s, Driven By Lust For Domination And Money; And Cicero's Own Role In That Political Choreography. This Speech Also Exemplifies The Exceptional Range Of Cicero's Oratory: The Invective Against Piso And Gabinius Calls For Biting Irony, The Praise Of Caesar Displays High Rhetoric, The Rejection Of Other Senators' Recommendations Is A Tour De Force Of Logical And Sophisticated Argument, And Cicero's Justification For His Own Conduct Is Embedded In The Self-fashioning Narrative Which Is Typical Of His Post Reditum Speeches. This New Commentary Includes An Updated Introduction, Which Provides The Readers With A Historical, Rhetorical And Stylistic Background To Appreciate The Complexities Of Cicero's Oration, As Well As Indexes And Maps.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This work investigates how Cicero's 56 BC speech, De Provinciis Consularibus, serves as a critical nexus for understanding the intersection of Roman oratory, political maneuvering, and imperialistic ideology. Luca Grillo, a scholar of classical rhetoric and Roman history, provides a comprehensive commentary that situates the oration within the volatile political landscape of the late Republic. By analyzing the text, Grillo demonstrates how Cicero utilized specific rhetorical strategies to align himself with the Triumviri while simultaneously navigating the complex expectations of the Roman Senate.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Detailed analysis of Roman international relations regarding Gaul, Macedonia, and Judaea.
- Examination of the socio-political roles of governors and publicani within the provincial system.
- A breakdown of the rhetorical techniques employed by Cicero, including invective, high rhetoric, and logical argumentation.
- Historical context regarding the power dynamics between Caesar, Crassus, and Pompey.
Scope Limits
- The commentary focuses specifically on the De Provinciis Consularibus and does not provide a comprehensive history of the entire Triumvirate period.
- The analysis is primarily centered on the rhetorical and political function of the speech rather than a broad social history of the Roman citizenry.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars and students of classical rhetoric frequently cite this commentary for its ability to bridge the gap between linguistic analysis and historical context. Experts highlight the text as a valuable resource for understanding the mechanics of late Republican political discourse and Cicero's personal navigation of power.
Page Count:
256
Publication Date:
2015-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press, Incorporated
ISBN-10:
0190224606
ISBN-13:
9780190224608
History
Non-Fiction
Rhetoric
Ancient - Rome