Domitius Afer

Gnaeus Domitius Afer (* in Nemausus; † 59) was a Roman politician, Senator and famous rhetorician.

Life

Afer was born in Gaul Nemausus and came from a modest background. In 25 he was praetor. In the following years Afer emerged as the accuser. Its agility saved his life in the year 39 ( see below). Afer held in the same year the Suffektkonsulat. From 49 he was curator aquarum. The time of his main efficacy especially as a defender falls in the reign of Claudius. Despite the slowing abilities he found it difficult in the age to withdraw.

Afer sat through cunning and flattery to Emperor Caligula in favor. Afer was accused of having left out on a portrait of the emperor in the inscription about the fact that the same was consul for the second time in his twenty-seventh year. Caligula therefore invited Afer before the Senate and accused him of who trespass against the imperial majesty. By Afer knew how vain Caligula was to be imaginary talent as a speaker, he gave up any defense, seemingly defeated by the invincible power of the imperial eloquence, which he admired in exuberant manner. He begged humbly Caligula, smash him not entirely by the power of his speech. This clumsy artifice succeeded. Afer was pardoned by Caligula with the words: " Go, but do you not get at to be a good speaker ," and shortly thereafter Afer was raised by Caligula Suffektkonsul.

Work

Afers works are preserved only in fragments.

• Speeches: per Cloatilla, per Voluseno Catulo, per Laelia, per Taurinis.
• Several books urban dicta from the speeches.
• Two books de testibus.

His pupil Quintilian emphasized, among quick-witted punch lines out the Maturitas ( maturity), the grave et lentum ( The Major and the indifference ) of Afers style. The rejection of modern Deklamationpraxis shows him as a supporter of the pristine eloquence ( Tacitus, Dialogus de oratoribus, 15.3. )