Oratio pro instaurandis scholis

oration by Eumenius

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July 1, 2026

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The Oratio pro instaurandis scholis ("Oration on the Restoration of the Schools") was delivered by the Roman orator and teacher of rhetoric, Eumenius, in 298 AD. This oration was presented to Emperor Constantius I and advocated for the rebuilding of the university college in Augustodunum (modern Autun, France), which had been damaged during civil disturbances.1

Eumenius, who had a successful career at Constantius's court, was appointed principal of this college. The oration served as an expression of gratitude for the emperor's reconstruction plans and a pledge from Eumenius to donate his salary to the restoration fund. The speech is notable for its insights into Roman education of the time and its enthusiastic praise for the emperor. Roman education was heavily influenced by Hellenistic traditions, with a strong emphasis on rhetoric, which was considered a vital skill for statesmen.12

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Eumenius
…who was the author of Oratio pro instaurandis scholis (“Oration on the Restoration of the Schools”), an interesting document on the education of his time as well as a vigorous panegyric of Emperor Constantius I. Eumenius had enjoyed a long and successful career at the court of Constantius and had…
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…who was the author of Oratio pro instaurandis scholis (“Oration on the Restoration of the Schools”), an interesting document on the education of his time as well as a vigorous panegyric of Emperor Constantius I. Eumenius had enjoyed a long and successful career at the court of Constantius and had…
Read More