Abstract
By examining the emphasis Pliny places on actio/pronuntiatio in his letters to junior senators, as well as the ways in which Pliny describes and reflects on his own successful performances, Tempest demonstrates how a close reading of his Letters reveals valuable evidence for reconstructing aspects of his performative technique. After an initial discussion in which she summarises the main fora and opportunities for oratory in the Imperial period, Tempest argues that Pliny’s discussions of oratorical performance are worthy of more consideration that they have hitherto been subjected to. Not only do these discussions enable Pliny to present himself as an exemplary teacher and pleader; he provides tell-tale signs in his letters which enable us to imagine him as an orator in action.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Theatre of Justice |
| Subtitle of host publication | Aspects of Performance in Greco-Roman Oratory and Rhetoric |
| Editors | S. Papaioannou, A. Serafim, B. de Vela |
| Place of Publication | Leiden |
| Publisher | Brill |
| Pages | 175-197 |
| Number of pages | 22 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9789004341876 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9789004334649 |
| Publication status | Published - Apr 2017 |