Cicero’s rationale for his use of prose rhythm in argumentation

ABSTRACT Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43BCE) is widely regarded, both in theory and practice, as a preeminent figure in the history of rhetoric, especially for his mastery of argumentation. Yet, Cicero was heavily criticized by his contemporaries for his rhetorical style, particularly his use of prose rhythm. In response, Cicero credited (and justified) his use of prose rhythm to Hellenic sources. Cicero’s rationale for his prose rhythm is best understood by examining the full range of his rhetorical treatises (i.e. his Rhetorica) and his practice, taking into account the social exigences and constraints that influenced his choice of style generally, and prose rhythm specifically, in rhetorical situations involving argumentation.