Law, Lawyers, and Politics: The Fundamental Role of Oratorical Skills

This contribution illustrates some aspects of the interaction between law, forensic activity, and politics, in light of the rules of classical rhetoric. In a sort of “circular path,” in the ancient world, rhetorical techniques could influence not only the approval of laws and the election of magistrates, but also the votes of juries who had to apply those rules. This influence could sometimes extend to determining the direction of certain legislative reforms. Understanding the central role played by oratory skills is essential to observing the complex dynamics that govern the interaction between the individual factors under consideration.