The Orator's Education: Books 1 - 2 (Loeb Classical Library, No 124)

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Summary: Exhaustive Exposition on Oratory
Review: Quintilian was not only a successful trial lawyer, he was a highly respected teacher and a writer of no mean skill. He put together a twelve book work on oratory which deals with all aspects of oratory, from the beginning of elementary education to the qualities of the polished orator. No other ancient author on rhetoric had such a prolific output of didactic material. Cicero may have published more, but the bulk of his rhetorical output was the publication of his more celebrated speeches.

The Loeb Classical Library collects Quintilian's writings into a five volume publication. Volume One contains Books 1 & 2, which deal with the beginning of the education process through a prolegomena which explores the nature of rhetoric.

Volume Two contains Books 3 through 5. Book 3 continues the prolegomena, talks about the types of rhetoric (epideictic, deliberative, and forensic), the types of issues (conjectural, definitional, and qualitative), and a discussion of how to determine the Point for Decision (in "Rhetorica ad Herennium," this is called the Point to Adjudicate). Book 4 takes up the Parts of Forensic Causes, and Book 5 deals with Proofs and Refutations. Interestingly, Quintilian gives some excellent advice on how to interrogate hostile witnesses and conduct cross examinations. Book 5 concludes with a discussion of the enthymeme and epicheireme.

Volume Three contains Books 6 - 8. Book 6 deals with emotion. Book 7 with a deeper study of the types of issues. Book 8 begins a discussion of Elocution which will continue through Books 9 - 11.

Volume Four continues the discussion of Elocution through Books 9 and 10. Book 9 concludes the theory of Elocution and Book 10 discusses practical exercises to improve Elocution.

Volume Five contains Books 11 & 12. Book 11 finishes the discussion of Elocution and then discusses Memory and Delivery. Book 12 ends the work with a discussion of "The good man skilled in speaking."

Oftentimes the star athlete makes a mediocre coach while the mediocre athlete makes a star coach. The old saw "He who can, does; he who can't teaches," does not apply to Quintilian. He reveals himself to be not only a star advocate, but an excellent coach as well.