Ciceronian Invectives: Emotions, Configurations, and Reactions

Political communication in the late Roman Republic was highly coloured by invective, with its linguistic arsenal of disparaging remarks, shaming, and related phenomena. This volume takes a fresh look at invective practices reflected in and relating to the verbal tirades delivered by Cicero.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 21 February 2025
Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Political communication in the late Roman Republic was deeply influenced by rhetorical strategies that included disparagement, shaming, and other related tactics. One of the most prominent figures in this regard was the orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 BC), who left a lasting legacy through his use of invective. This volume, which brings together contributions from the conference Ciceronian Invective. Emotions, Reactions, Performance, held at Dresden's Technische Universität in 2020, offers a fresh perspective on the practices associated with Cicero's tirades. By examining invective not only as a literary genre but also as a social and political phenomenon, the aim is to gain a deeper understanding of Ciceronian invective. The volume explores the emotions that such language use evoked, its historical and rhetorical contexts, and the reactions of those who were offended by it or who received it as an audience.

Cicero's use of invective was characterized by a combination of rhetorical techniques and personal beliefs. He often employed vivid and emotive language to convey his disapproval of his opponents, and he frequently resorted to personal attacks and insults to undermine their credibility. Cicero's invective was not limited to political opponents; he also used it against individuals who he perceived as threats to his personal reputation or the Roman Republic.

One of the key themes of the volume is the impact of invective on social and political dynamics. Cicero's tirades often had a significant impact on public opinion and could influence the course of political events. For example, his attacks on Mark Antony during the civil war of 49-45 BC helped to undermine his reputation and contributed to his eventual defeat. Similarly, his criticism of Julius Caesar's policies during the Gallic Wars helped to shape public opinion and contributed to his eventual assassination.

However, the use of invective also had its negative consequences. It could lead to division and conflict within society, and it could also be used to manipulate public opinion. Cicero himself was criticized for his use of invective, and his opponents often used it against him.

In addition to the historical and rhetorical aspects of invective, the volume also explores the emotional impact of such language use. Cicero's tirades often evoked strong emotions in his audience, and this could have a significant impact on their behavior. For example, his attacks on Mark Antony during the civil war of 49-45 BC may have contributed to his decision to commit suicide.

The volume also includes contributions from scholars from a range of disciplines, including history, literature, and psychology. These contributions provide a diverse range of perspectives on the topic of invective and its impact on society.

One of the key challenges in studying invective is the lack of primary sources. Many of Cicero's tirades have been lost, and the surviving sources are often fragmentary and incomplete. This makes it difficult to reconstruct the full context of his invective and to understand its impact on society.

To address this challenge, the volume includes a number of secondary sources, including scholarly articles, books, and essays. These sources provide a wealth of information about the history and rhetoric of invective and its impact on society.

In conclusion, political communication in the late Roman Republic was deeply influenced by rhetorical strategies that included disparagement, shaming, and other related tactics. One of the most prominent figures in this regard was the orator and statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero, who left a lasting legacy through his use of invective. This volume offers a fresh perspective on the practices associated with Cicero's tirades and explores the emotions that such language use evoked, its historical and rhetorical contexts, and the reactions of those who were offended by it or who received it as an audience. While the use of invective had its negative consequences, it also had its positive effects, and it remains an important topic of study for scholars and students of political communication.

Weight: 531g
Dimension: 155 x 232 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783161610356