Institutio Oratoria

It is in this connexion that we shall have to consider whether a man was killed by sword or fire or poison, by one wound or several, and

whether he was slain on the spot or tortured by being kept in suspense. The accuser will also frequently attempt to excite pity by complaining of the fate of the man whom he is seeking to avenge or of the desolation which has fallen upon his children or parents.