Institutio Oratoria

of the kind which Rutilius calls ἀλλοίωσις its function is to point out the differences between men, things and deeds: if it is used on an extended scale, it is not a figure, if on a narrower scale, it is mere antithesis, while if it is intended to mean hypallage, enough has already been said on the subject. [*](VIII. 6. 23.)

Again what sort of a figure is this addition of a reason, for what is advanced, which Rutilius calls αἰτιολογία ? [*](ii. 19.) It may also be doubted whether the assignment of a reason for each distinct statement, with which Rutilius [*](Opening of Book I.) opens his discussion of figures, is really a figure.

He calls it προσαπόδοσις and states [*]( The subj. servetur seems to indicate indirect speech. ) that strictly it applies to a number of propositions, since the reason is either attached to each proposition separately, as in the following passage from Gaius Antonius: [*](Elected consul with Cicero for 63 B.C.)

But I do not fear him as an accuser, for I am innocent; I do not dread him as a rival candidate, for I am Antonius; I do not expect to see him consul, for he is Cicero

or, after two or three propositions have been stated, the reasons for them may be given continuously in the same order, as for example in the

For it is better to rule no man than to be the slave to any man: since one may live with honour without ruling, whereas life is no life for the slave.

But a number of reasons may also be assigned for one statement, as in the lines of Virgil: [*](Georg. i. 86. Rhoades' translation. )

1. Whether that earth there from some hidden strength
2. And fattening food derives, or that the tire
3. Bakes every blemish out, etc.
4. Or that the heat unlocks new passages. . . .
5. Or that it hardens more, etc.

I am in the dark: if he means ἀνάκλασις [*](VIII. vi 23.) or ἐπάνοδος [*](IX. iii. 35.) or ἀντιμεταβολή, [*](IX. iii. 85.) I have already discussed them. But whatever its meaning may be, he does not mention it in the Orator any more than the other terms I have just mentioned. The only figure of speech mentioned in that work, which I should prefer to regard as a figure of thought owing to its emotional character, is exclamation. I agree with him about all the rest. To these Caecilius adds periphrasis,

of which I have already spoken,5 while Cornificius [*]( VIII. vi. 59. For interpretations of all these terms except occultatio, see Auct. ad Herenn. iv. 15, 16, 17, 19, 23, 26, 28, 30, subjcitio is the suggesting of an argument that might be used by an opponent; articulus a clause consisting of one word. interpretation the explanation of one word by subsequent use of a synonym. ) adds interrogation, reasoning, suggestion, transition, concealment, and further, sentence, clause, isolated words, interpretation and conclusion. Of these the first (down to and including concealment) are figures of thought, while the remainder are not figures at all.