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Institutio Oratoria : Books I-III (Loeb Classical Library)

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Quintilian was not only a successful trial lawyer, he was a highly respected teacher and a writer of no mean skill. He put together a twelve book work on oratory which deals with all aspects of oratory, from the beginning of elementary education to the qualities of the polished orator. No other ancient author on rhetoric had such a prolific output of didactic material. Cicero may have published more, but the bulk of his rhetorical output was the publication of his more celebrated speeches.

Oftentimes the star athlete makes a mediocre coach while the mediocre athlete makes a star coach. The old saw "He who can, does; he who can't teaches," does not apply to Quintilian. He reveals himself to be not only a star advocate, but an excellent coach as well.

This, however, is not the volume to purchase if you want to read Quintilian. The Loeb Classical Library has recently published a brand new five volume translation of this book under the title, "The Orator's Education."