In recent years interest has grown for the study of ancient declamation (both Greek and Latin), and not only amongst classical scholars, but also in legal, literary and anthropological studies. It is now widely believed, in fact, that these texts, traditionally outside the traditional canon, can provide an interesting perspective to reinterpret the literature of the Imperial Age and to get a deeper understanding of the Roman legal mind and of ancient imagery in general. This collection of essays seeks to address the Declamationes Minores from different points of view. Not only does it analyse the specific features of the text as a schoolbook, but it also tries to highlight the contiguity of fictitious speeches with the literary tradition and the legal and philosophical culture of the time. The volume is a useful tool to explore little-known texts, which nevertheless constitute an effective access point to the imagery of the Imperial Age.

Dedicato alle Declamationes Minores attribuite a Quintiliano, il volume fa emergere i diversi motivi di interesse di questo antico libro di scuola: un manuale che introduce il lettore nel lavoro quotidiano di un maestro di retorica, ma anche uno strumento utile per esplorare l’immaginario antico e la stretta relazione che unisce retorica, letteratura e riflessione giuridica.