Ciceros Beweisführung aus der Wahrscheinlichkeit im Geldstreit zwischen dem Schauspieler Roscius und Fannius Chaerea
Cicero's argument from the probability of a monetary dispute between the actor Roscius and Fannius Chaerea

Summary/Abstract: The paper explores the argumentation from probability inCicero’s speech Pro Roscio comoedo, concerning the financial litiga-tion between a famous Roman actor Quintus Roscius and an unknownbusinessman Fannius Chaerea. The Roman rhetorician had analysed thequestion of probability in his earlier dissertation De inventione, which in-fluenced his art of persuasion. Because of lack of the strong proofs thearguments from probability played a great role in the defence of Ros-cius. Cicero used different types of likelihood arguments: syllogistic argu-ment from probability, credibilia, incredibilia, verisimilia, as well as thearguments from ethos and kedros. He seems to be here aware of the Greektheory of argumentation present in the writings of Aristotle and Rhetoricaad Alexandrum. The Roman orator recalled often the truth and juxtaposedit with the probability. Cicero employed likelihood proofs in his speech,both in argumentation and in refutation.

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