oa Cicero auctor et actor

The article analyses elements of theatrical actio in the Pro Sexto Roscio Amerino. After some reflections on actio in Cicero’s rhetorical theory and practice, it first focuses on altercatio as a medium to increase the theatricality of the speech. The fictive discussions with opponents serve a second goal which is presented in the second part of the article: the construction of Cicero’s (theatrical and ethical) persona as the ideal and authoritative defender of Roscius’ case.