Volu m e I - Purdue University Calumet

seems to indicate that Crassus is the “superior” rhetor or speaker. By indicating that Crassus is the one
whom is replying to the arguments or ideas of the others, it is suggested that his is the ideas that are to be
considered superior.
Watson also uses the word “exclaimed” in two instances in the text. One of these instances is given
to Crassus and the other is given to Sulpicius. Both of these seem to function in similar, but different ways.
By using the word “exclaimed” Watson seemingly gives Crassus and Sulpicius energy. While Sulpicius’s
“exclaimed” seems to come from a realization brought on by the other rhetors, Crassus’s “exclaimed” is
seemingly used to denote his passion for and experience in oratory.
Finally, Watson uses the “observed” tagline four times in the text. However, this is one of the only
words that is used as a tagline that is never used by Crassus in the text. Instead, Scaevola, Sulpicius, and
Antonius are given these taglines. Of these three, Antonius has two of the four occurrences. By giving these
three speakers “observed” taglines, Watson seems to indicate that these three speakers have things to learn
on the topic. This seems to be especially important due to the fact that Antonius is given two of the four
occurrences. By indicating that Antonius has things which he has to observe, this seems to detract from his
authority on the subject, which indicates to the reader that Crassus’s arguments and thoughts “approach
closer to the truth.”
In Watson’s translation, Crassus seems to become the superior speaker through the taglines and
word choice. However, Watson seems to try to keep close to the original Latin where possible and
attempts to keep highly embellished taglines, such as “exclaimed” and “observed,” from becoming a majority
in the work.
Sutton and Rackham on the other hand, seem to embrace the embellishment of the original text.
Within their translation, only thirteen of the fifty-four taglines are kept as “said” phrases. If one looks at the
original Latin phrases, there are only two more total “said” taglines than there are “inquit” taglines just for
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