[Davis Introduction]:
As political freedom gradually ceased under the Empire, oratory was more and
more confined to the courts. But, in the argument of cases, an interest was maintained
that was often entirely disproportionate to the importance of the suit. Forensic oratory
was practically the only public way a young man of good family could distinguish himself
unless he joined the army. In the opinion of true lovers of the art, however, by 100 CE.
the advocate's profession was in a very bad state, and in great danger of falling into
contempt. Its evils and abuses are here explained by Pliny.
Yes, you, Maximus [Pliny's correspondent], are quite right: my time is fully taken up
by cases in the Centumviral Court, but they give me more worry than pleasure, for most of
them are of a minor and unimportant nature. Most of the advocates are young men without
standing, and make their first beginnings on the hardest subjects. Yet, by Heaven, before
my time---to use an old man's phrase---not even the highest-born youths had any standing
here, unless they were introduced by a man of consular rank.
Now all modesty and respect are thrown to the winds, and one man is as good as another.
So far from being introduced they burst in. The audiences follow them as if they were
actors, bought and paid to do so; the agent of the orator is there to meet them in the
middle of the courthouse (basilica), where the doles of money are handed over as
openly as doles of food at a banquet; and they are ready to pass from one court to another
for a bribe. They are made fun of for their readiness to cry "bravo"; yet this
disgraceful practice gets worse every day. Yesterday two of my own nomenclators---young
men I admit, about the age of those who have just assumed the toga---were enticed off to
join the claque for three denarii apiece. Such is the outlay you must make to get a
reputation for eloquence!
At that price you can fill the benches, however many there are; you can obtain a great
throng and get thunders of applause as soon as the conductor gives the signal. For a
signal is absolutely necessary for people who do not understand, and do not even listen to
the speeches; and many of these fellows do not listen at all, though they applaud as
heartily as any. If you chance to be crossing the courthouse, and wish to know how any one
is speaking, there is no need to stop to listen. It is quite safe to guess on the
principle that he who is speaking worst gets the most applause.
The sing-song style of this clique only wants the clapping of hands, or rather cymbals
and drums, to make them like the priests of Cybele, for as for howlings---that is the only
word to express the unseemly applause---they have enough and to spare.
Source:
William Stearns Davis, ed., Readings in Ancient History: Illustrative Extracts
from the Sources, 2 Vols. (Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1912-13), Vol. II: Rome and the
West, pp.239-244
Scanned by: J. S. Arkenberg, Dept. of History, Cal. State Fullerton.
This text is part of the Internet
Ancient History Sourcebook. The Sourcebook is a collection of public domain and
copy-permitted texts related to ancient history.
Unless otherwise indicated the specific electronic form of the document is copyright.
Permission is granted for electronic copying, distribution in print form for educational
purposes and personal use. No representation is made about texts which are linked
off-site, although in most cases these are also public domain. If you do reduplicate the
document, indicate the source. No permission is granted for commercial use.
© Paul Halsall, July 1998
The Internet History Sourcebooks Project is located at the History Department of Fordham University, New York. The Internet Medieval Sourcebook, and other medieval components of the project, are located at the Fordham University Center for Medieval Studies.The IHSP recognizes the contribution of Fordham University, the Fordham University History Department, and the Fordham Center for Medieval Studies in
providing web space and server support for the project. The IHSP is a project independent of Fordham University. Although the IHSP seeks to follow all applicable copyright law, Fordham University is not the institutional owner, and is not liable as the result of any legal action.
© Site Concept and Design: Paul Halsall, created 26 Jan 1996: latest revision 15 November 2024 [CV]
