Of all the philosophical and rhetorical treatises of Cicero, his three books On the Orator (de Oratore) represent perhaps the most polished and appealing. Here is Rome's consummate orator and composer of forensic and political speeches, at the height of his powers, giving the considered results of his personal experience - not the dry theorising and bickering of different schools of declamation - in a way which continually keeps in view the practical needs of one who wishes to play the part of a true Roman citizen in the contests of the popular assemblies and the law-courts.