Actors and Orators

The word “performance” is widely associated with creating a reality and giving an acting, musical or dancing spectacle on stage. In ancient Rome, not only actors and related professions presented performances. It is possible that they also took place during court proceedings. At the trial, especially in criminal courts, audiences often expected to be entertained. The party of the dispute that won the favour of the audience could feel more comfortable during the proceedings as their words were able to reach a trial official and the jury undisturbed. What is more, we might assume that the said jury was a part of the audience too and thus the recipient of carefully planned speeches. They served not only to present facts – they were calculated to arouse emotions. In such cases, those responsible for arranging performances were orators.