THE SPEECHES OF MARCUS
INTRODUCTION
Marcus learnt from Rusticus to "eschew rhetoric and fine language"[1] and thanked the Gods that "he had not made more progress in his rhetorical studies,"[2] but the Greek in which he clothed his Thoughts shews that he had made some progress in them, and Dio says he was "practised in the principles of rhetoric."[3]
Only three speeches, purporting to be by Marcus, have come down to us. It is not certain how far we can accept them as authentic. The first is reported by Dio Cassius, who was twenty at the time of its delivery, and as he lived at Rome, and afterwards held high office in the state, he had ample sources of information. He expressly states that Marcus read this address to the soldiers on the rebellion of Cassius, and being written it was more likely to have been preserved verbatim. It cannot be denied that the speech has touches characteristic of Marcus, but of course these might have been purposely introduced by a skilful forger. On the other hand the style is rather rhetorical and artificial and more in keeping with Dio's known proclivities. Still there is a dignity and restraint, not altogether unworthy of the occasion, noticeable throughout. Unfortunately it only comes to us in the epitome of Xiphilinus, and we do not know how far he has curtailed it, and it certainly seems
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