The Debate

The Controversy

Quintus had a Greek friend. The friend was Alexander. Quintus and Alexander were going to the exercise area, where there was a Greek teacher. This teacher was Theodorus, and he lived near the exercise area. In the exercise area, there was a long portico where Theodorus was teaching young men. After they arrived at this portico, Alexander and Quintus heard the teacher. The teacher was announcing a debate to the young men: “The Greeks are better than the Romans.”

Quintus vehemently shouted, “No! We Romans are better than the Greeks.” Theodorus, after hearing this opinion, replied, “This is your opinion. However, we are not looking for opinions; we are looking for arguments.” Then Quintus explained his argument to the teacher and his friends: “We Romans are the strongest. We surpass the fiercest barbarians. We have the greatest empire. We maintain peace. You Greeks are always in conflict. You are always troublesome. We are the best architects. We build roads and bridges everywhere. The city of Rome is larger than all other cities. Finally, we Romans work diligently. Therefore, the gods give us the greatest empire. You Greeks are lazy. You never work. The gods give you nothing.”

After Quintus explained this opinion, the young men of Pompeii applauded vigorously and praised him. Then Alexander stood up. The young men of Pompeii fell silent and watched Alexander intently. “You Romans are wretched. You have the greatest empire, but you are imitators; we Greeks are the creators. You look at Greek statues, you read Greek books, and you listen to Greek teachers. You Romans are ridiculous because you are more Greek than we Greeks!”

After Alexander explained his opinion, the young men laughed. Then Theodorus announced, “Alexander is the victor. He has explained the best argument.”