Final answer:
The Romans excelled in the art of public speaking, known as rhetoric, which was an adaptation of Greek oratory with a more direct approach. Elite Roman men were trained in rhetoric for success in public and political arenas, while Greek language and literature had a significant influence on Roman education and culture.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Romans mastered the art of public speaking, or rhetoric, as well as letter writing. Following Greek influences, Romans adopted and adapted the craft of rhetoric to suit their cultural ethos, favoring a more direct and less subtle form than that of Greece. Roman rhetoric emphasized passionate appeals to stir emotional responses, harnessing the speaker’s own emotions in the process. Formal instruction in rhetoric became commonplace; students would study the speeches of historical figures and engage in debates using these principles. Elite Roman men, in particular, pursued oratory from an early age as it was integral for public life and political success, while Roman women typically did not engage in public speaking, with a few notable exceptions like Hortensia.
Knowledge of Greek language and literature became a marker of an educated Roman elite. Influence in this area manifested through the employment of Greek tutors for Roman children and the Roman tendency to create writings in both Greek and Latin. Orators such as Cicero, who was renowned for his skill, further exemplified the importance of oration in Roman society. The legacy of Roman rhetoric even persevered beyond the fall of the Roman Empire, as Latin remained the language of educated Europe for centuries.