On Invention - Classic Text | Alexandria
De Inventione (On Invention)
Marcus Tullius Cicero (c. 84 BCE)
De Inventione, one of Cicero's earliest surviving works, stands as a cornerstone of Western rhetorical theory and represents the ambitious intellectual endeavors of Rome's most celebrated orator during his formative years. Written when Cicero was barely twenty years old, this incomplete treatise on rhetorical invention demonstrates remarkable sophistication in its systematic approach to the art of persuasive speaking and writing.
Composed during the tumultuous period of the late Roman Republic (c. 84 BCE), De Inventione emerged from a cultural milieu deeply influenced by Greek rhetorical traditions, particularly the works of Hermagoras of Temnos and the Rhetorica ad Herennium, with which it shares notable parallels. The text's creation coincided with Cicero's early legal career, reflecting both his practical experience in the courts and his theoretical study under renowned rhetoricians.
The work consists of two books that meticulously examine inventio (invention) - the discovery of valid arguments for persuasion. Cicero's treatment revolutionized rhetorical theory by synthesizing Greek philosophical principles with Roman pragmatism, establishing a framework that would influence educational practices for centuries. His innovative approach includes the famous "stasis theory" for analyzing legal cases and the development of the six parts of an oration, concepts that continue to shape modern legal and political discourse.
Perhaps most intriguingly, De Inventione offers a window into Cicero's intellectual development, revealing how early exposure to Greek rhetoric shaped his later philosophical and political works. The text's enduring influence can be traced through medieval rhetoric, where it served as a primary educational text, to modern communication theory. Contemporary scholars continue to debate the relationship between De Inventione and the anonymous Rhetorica ad Herennium, while also exploring how Cicero's youthful theoretical framework evolved into his mature rhetorical philosophy.
This foundational work raises perennial questions about the nature of persuasion, the relationship between rhetoric and truth, and the role of systematic education in developing effective communication - issues that remain remarkably relevant in our era of mass media and digital communication.