[189] De Fabrica mundi et Evangeliis.
[190] Isidore, Etym., 2, 19, 14, “Praeterea secundum Victorinum enthymematis est altera definitio. Ex sola propositione, sicut jam dictum est, ita constat. ‘Si tempestas vitanda est, non est navigatio requirenda.’”
Cassiodorus, De Rhet. Halm, Rhetores Latini, p. 500. “Praeterea secundum Victorinum enthymematis est altera definitio. Ex sola propositione, sicut jam dictum est, ita constat enthymema, ut est illud: ‘si tempestas vitanda est, non est navigatio requirenda.’”
Isidore, Etym., 2, 9, 18. “Hunc Cicero ita facit in arte rhetorica.”
Cass. in Halm, p. 500, 18. “Hunc Cicero facit in arte rhetorica.”
[191] The analytical treatment of this subject is obviously carried to an absurd degree. The whole activity of the orator is analyzed into five parts: inventio, dispositio, elocutio (wording), memoria, pronuntiatio. The whole subject-matter is analyzed into three parts: deliberative, epideictic, forensic. All court cases are analyzed from the point of view of the defence, according to status, that is, according to the nature of the leading point in the case. The speech itself (oratio) is analyzed into four parts: introduction, narrative, argument and conclusion. All cases are analyzed again according to the psychological impression they make on the audience. All arguments are analyzed into regular and irregular syllogisms. Even negation, giving the lie, is analyzed into several sorts. Rhetorical figures are analyzed elaborately.
[192] “In which there is discussion of what ought or ought not to be done in regard to any of the practical affairs of life.” 2, 4, 1. The genus deliberativum is divided into suasio and dissuasio, and each of these again, under the three headings, honestum, utile, possibile.
[193] Epideictic; divided into laus and vituperatio, 2, 4.
[194] Forensic rhetoric.
[195] Under this heading we have the chief effort of ancient rhetoric to be helpful to the defense in cases brought before the courts. The term status meant the crucial point in a case, and its subdivisions are intended to include the chief kinds of crucial points upon which the advocate must base his speech. The inference in both Isidore and Cassiodorus is that there is only one status in a case, but Quintilian (3, 6, 21) expressly says that there are more than one, and that the chief status in a case “is the strongest point in it on which the whole matter chiefly turns.”