Quintilian, Institutio Oratoria, Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator), 2.1.9

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[9] We know that the orators of earlier days improved their eloquence by declaiming themes and common-places ¹ and other forms of rhetorical exercises not involving particular circumstances or persons such as provide the material for real or imaginary causes. ² From this we can clearly see what a scandalous dereliction of duty it is for the schools of rhetoric to abandon this department of their work, which was not merely its first, but for a long time its sole task.

Institutio Oratoria. Quintilian. Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator). Cambridge, Mass.. 1920-1922.

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Current edition Perseus

Institutio Oratoria (English) (Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, translator. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.)

Editions (1)

Institutio Oratoria Perseus (Quintilian. Institutio Oratoria, Volume 1-4. Butler, Harold Edgeworth, editor. Cambridge, Mass; London: Harvard University Press, William Heinemann Ltd., 1920-1922.) — 2.1.9 focus

[9] a narrationibus statim et laudandi vituperandique opusculis cura eius desideratur. an ignoramus antiquis hoc fuisse ad augendam eloquentiam genus exercitationis, ut theses dicerent et communes locos et cetera citra complexum rerum personarumque, quibus verae fictaeque controversiae continentur? ex quo palam est, quam turpiter deserat eam partem rhetorices institutio, quam et primam habuit et diu solam.

Notes on the current edition

Institutio Oratoria

1. communes loci = passages dealing with some general principle or theme. For theses see 2 1 iv. 24.

2. controversiae are declamations on controversial or judicial themes. A general rule or law is stated: then a special case, which has to be solved in accordance with the law. An abbreviated controversia is to be found in I. x. 33, and they occur frequently hereafter (cp. esp. 3 1 vi. 96).

Quintilian Institutio Oratoria 2.1.9

Harold Edgeworth Butler (Translator)

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