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De Oratore
also: second book of De Oratore, secundo libro de oratore
Cicero's dialogue on the ideal orator (55 BC); its second book contains the long treatment of wit and jesting (de ridiculis) put in the mouth of the orator M. Antonius. Cicero cites it self-referentially in Fam. 7.32.
Reading notes
- Ad Familiares 7.32 §2 book two of the \textit{De Oratore}
In the second book of his dialogue De Oratore (55 BC) Cicero gives, through the orator M. Antonius, the fullest ancient analysis of humour, classifying the kinds of jest named here in Greek: ambiguity, hyperbole, wordplay, and the surprise turn (para prosdokian).