While each rhetorician was respected in the field of rhetoric for separate accomplishments, it is not uncommon to see their work compared. One of the most important similarities between Quintilian and Cicero was their concern for morality, or vir bonus. This concern was the result of their understanding of the power that rhetoric had to influence others. In this case, Quintilian and Cicero emphasized morality in rhetoric because they were worried it would be used to influence politicians in a negative way.
Quintilian and Cicero had similar goals for the role of rhetoric in Ancient Rome. Quintilian often discussed his desire for Roman Rhetoricians to play the role of “Wise Men” in Rome. Similarly, Cicero described his image of the ideal rhetor in Rome as a “moral guide.” Emphasis on morality was placed by both figures because, although Cicero died nearly a century before Quintilian was born, the Roman Empire was in a fragile state during both of their lives. Moreover, they felt that the influence of moral rhetoricians would go a long way towards preserving Rome.
November 5, 2015 at 2:12 pm
So, there are definitely similarities here. What about differences? And did they come up with this idea out of nowhere? What might have been going on in Rome that would lead to two very different rhetoricians agreeing on the idea of a kind of savior rhetor?