Adlocutio

Adlocutio is a term used in Latin literature and Roman art.

In literary and rhetorical texts adlocutio generally refers to a personally encouraging speech or greeting, a comforting speech (Greek παραίνεσις parainesis ) or the direct address of an auditorium ( gr apostrophe ) through a speaker.

With a political or military terms a adlocutio is a personal address to the Senate, the National Assembly or at a military gathering. It was reserved for the emperor, and was, for example, the office or in the adoption of a successor.

The adlocutio is also an element of the symbolic language of numismatics and art of the Empire. Often a adlocutio is shown about to honor pillars and triumphal arches ( Column of Trajan, Marcus Aurelius column ). From Caligula to the adlocutio Maxentius was a popular motif on coins. The adlocutio is shown as a speech from the Emperor to his soldiers as a symbol of the bond between the Emperor and the military. In late antiquity occur adlocutio scenes behind other image programs.

In this specific meaning the word is not busy adlocutio literary or inscriptions, however, the term is often on coins before ( adlocutio coh. Adlocutio or coh. Praet. ).

Literary evidence (selection)

• Quintilian inst. 9,2,37
• Seneca ad Helv 1.3
• Valerius Maximus 2,7,4
• Varro Ling. 6.57
• Suetonius Tib. 23
• Livy by. 104
• Fronto Verus 132.1