Institutio Oratoria

I know, too, that some authorities warn us not to walk with our backs turned to the judges, but to move diagonally and keep our eyes fixed on the panel. This cannot be done in private trials, but in such cases the space available is small and the time during which our backs are turned is of the briefest. [*]( The normal arrangement was for the president of the court and judges to sit on a tribunal or dais. The advocates and parties to the suit were on the ground in front. When pleading before a large jury the orator could walk diagonally, half-facing the jury, without at any rate turning his back on too many at a time. When, however, there was but a single judge, as in a private trial, the feat would he more difficult, But apparently the court took up less room in such cases, and the orator's peregrinations would be but small. See § 134 note. ) On the other hand, we are permitted at times to walk backwards gradually. Some even jump backwards, which is merely ludicrous.

Stamping the foot is, as Cicero [*](de Or. iii. lix. 220. ) says, effective when done on suitable occasions, that is to say, at the commence meant or close of a lively argument, but if it be

Another reprehensible practice is that of nodding frequently and rapidly to either side, a mannerism for which the elder Curio [*](cp. Cic. Brut. lx. ) was derided by Julius, who asked who it was who was speaking in a boat, while on another occasion, when Curio had been tossing himself about in his usual manner, while Octaves, his colleague, was sitting beside him bandaged and reeking with medicaments on account of ill-health, Spiciness remarked,

Octaves, you can never be sufficiently grateful to your colleague: for if he wasn't there, the flies would have devoured you this very day where you sit.