A Roman orator
Roman Republic c.2nd-1st century BCE
EXPRESSIVE DELIVERY
Orators would employ a series of gestures using their arms, hands and fingers, as well as facial expressions, to help illustrate their point and give their words greater impact. The various gestures that orators used had different meanings that were usually understood by the audience.
SMART DRESS
Orators wore the typical outfit for a Roman man – a toga. Draped over the left shoulder, it restricted the use of the left arm, leaving orators with only their right arm to move freely and gesture. An orator’s appearance would be scrutinised, and if they looked messy their moral character was called into question.
MAINTAIN COMPOSURE
While orators were expected to be expressive and vary the pitch of their voice during their speeches, their delivery also had to be restrained. They were supposed to maintain an upright posture, giving them an imposing presence, and it was considered excessive to move around a lot.
DIVERSE EDUCATION
Cicero, a great orator himself, believed that the ideal orator had to possess a wide range of general knowledge so they could both speak wisely and have the ability to develop great ideas. Many members of the elite would receive training in oratory as part of their education.
A CRUCIAL ART
Oratory – the practice of public speaking – played an important role in the political arena and decision-making of the Republic. An essential art for those who wanted to be successful in public and political life, persuasive oratory was used for different reasons – for example, to sway public opinion or spread propaganda.
MALE ARENA
Oratory was performed by elite men, while women – even educated, elite women – were not supposed to speak in public. However, one of the greatest orators of the Late Republic was Hortensia, who delivered a speech in front of the Second Triumvirate that led to the partial repeal of a tax on Rome’s richest women.
PUBLIC PERFORMANCE
In Rome, orators would stand on the rostra, a platform that was originally part of the Comitium and later moved to the Roman Forum. They always gave their speeches stood above the audience, which symbolised their moral and political authority as members of the elite.