Marcus Fabius Quintilian was a prominent Roman rhetorician and educator who lived during the first century AD. He is best known for his work "Institutio Oratoria," a comprehensive treatise on the art of rhetoric. Quintilian's dictionary definition encompasses his life, works, and influence.
Born in Calagurris, Hispania, Quintilian was educated in Rome and later became a renowned teacher of rhetoric. He gained recognition for his eloquence and teaching abilities, which led him to be appointed as the tutor of Emperor Vespasian's two grandsons. As a teacher, Quintilian emphasized the importance of moral character and emphasized the ethical responsibilities of orators.
Quintilian's magnum opus, "Institutio Oratoria," is considered one of the most significant works on rhetoric in Western literature. This comprehensive twelve-volume treatise covers various aspects of public speaking, including inventing arguments, organizing speeches, and delivering them effectively. Quintilian believed that a skilled orator should not only possess rhetorical techniques, but also be grounded in ethics and philosophy, and he emphasized the need for honesty, virtue, and integrity in persuasive communication.
His influence on education and the study of rhetoric cannot be overstated. Quintilian's teachings were highly regarded during his lifetime and continued to be influential in subsequent centuries. His emphasis on character, reason, and empathy in public speaking laid the foundation for modern theories of communication and rhetoric. Quintilian's enduring legacy is marked by his significant contributions to the art of persuasion and his profound impact on the field of education.
