Reading Response: Quintilian and Longinus

The first famed Roman rhetorician we read about was Quintilian. This Roman was designated the premier teacher of rhetoric of Rome and was famous for producing some of the most famous citizens Rome had ever seen. The key word here being citizens, as Quintilian believed that the two most important factors of the rhetoricians he taught to be good moral character and employing rhetoric for the benefit of Rome (as opposed to Sophists, for example, who were predominately self-interested in the employment of rhetoric). Quintilian had very strict guidelines for his students including that they be raised properly from the minute they are born. For instance, Quintilian stressed that the caretakers of his students be well versed in Latin and have a good character. Quintilian also stressed the appearance of his students when they were giving a speech. For example, they must wear a toga a certain way to send the right message to the audience. Additionally, Quintilian’s outline of a speech resembles that of modern debaters. The rhetorician taught that his students employ an interesting introduction, the basis of the facts, the evidence to enforce the facts, a rebuttal of the opponents claims, and finally a summation of why the speaker’s argument is superior.

In his book On The Sublime, Longinus discusses the emotive power of language. Longinus is particularly interested in advancing the power that rhetoric allows, into Roman society. The writer and rhetorician was especially interested in the power that results from the combination of literature, emotion, and great ideas. Longinus believed that some of the qualities needed to achieve this were innate, while others could be taught. Longinus was also a firm believer in the use of figures of speech in composition to add to overall rhetorical quality.