Marcus Porcius Latro facts for kids

Marcus Porcius Latro (died 4 BC) was a famous Roman teacher of public speaking, known as a rhetorician. Many people consider him one of the first to teach a special kind of public speaking called scholastic rhetoric.

He was born in Roman Spain. His friend Seneca the Elder, who was also a famous writer, often wrote about Latro. They both studied together under a teacher named Marillius.

A Talented Speaker and Teacher

In 17 BC, Latro gave speeches, known as declamations, in front of important figures like Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, and Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa. Latro's school in Rome was very popular. Famous poets like Ovid and Abronius Silo were among his students.

Latro was said to have an amazing memory. He was full of energy and passion, not just when speaking, but also in his studies. People said he was always busy speaking or getting ready to speak. Some even called him the "manliest" of speakers. He would study so hard that he would get very tired. To rest, he would go on holiday to Tuscany. There, he would hunt and farm, and he wouldn't touch a book or pen.

Latro's Unique Teaching Style

One interesting thing about Latro was that he rarely listened to his students speak. His students were there to listen and learn from him. They would hear Latro's own speeches or his funny comments about other speakers. Because of this, his students were called auditores, which means "listeners." This word later became a common way to say "learners" or "students."

Latro's speaking style was very real. He avoided the fancy and sometimes unbelievable tricks that many speakers used. Instead, he always tried to find a simple, clear idea for his speeches. This gave him enough room to speak well, rather than trying to bring up many small questions.

Challenges and Criticisms

Even though Latro was very famous, some people criticized him. For example, Marcus Valerius Messalla Corvinus didn't like his language. Other rhetoricians thought the way he organized his speeches wasn't good.

While he was excellent at teaching public speaking, he wasn't as good at speaking in real court cases. Once, in Spain, he had to speak in the Roman Forum to help a relative. He felt so uncomfortable speaking outdoors that he couldn't continue. He had to ask his friend, who was a Roman governor in Hither Spain, to move the trial from the forum to a covered building called a basilica.

Later Life and Legacy

Latro died in 4 BC. We know this from a historical record called the Chronicon by Eusebius of Caesarea. Many modern writers believe that Latro might have written some famous speeches. These include the speeches of Sallust against Cicero, and Cicero's speeches against Sallust.

See also

In Spanish: Marco Porcio Latrón para niños