Performing Roman oratory gestures

Cn. Lentulus performing Roman oratory gestures (based on Quintilian's descriptions) as an assistant to the lecturer Professor Tamás Adamik, at the 10th Kossuth Oratory Conference, Budapest ELTE, 2008.

"One of the commonest of all the gestures consists in placing the middle finger against the thumb and extending the remaining three: it is suitable to the exordium, the hand being moved forward with an easy motion a little distance both to right and left, while the head and shoulders gradually follow the direction of the gesture. It is also useful in the statement of facts, but in that case the hand must be moved with firmness and a little further forward, while, if we are reproaching or refuting our adversary, the same movement may be employed with some vehemence and energy, since such passages permit of greater freedom of extension." (Quintilian: Institutio Oratoria, XI, 3, 92; translated by H. E. Butler)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• novaroma
• nova
• roma
• ancient
• roman
• rome
• toga