Quintus Haterius

Who was Quintus Haterius?

Though we do not know his place of birth, Quintus Haterius was born into a senatorial family around 65 BC. This date is uncertain because we only know the approximate year of his death, and his approximate age at the time. Haterius was the father to consul Decimus Haterius Agrippa and grandfather to consul Quintus Haterius Antoninus, and that through marriage he was related to the house of Augustus. It has been speculated that his wife may have been a daughter of M. Vipsenius Agrippa. He was a famous Populares orator under the rule of Augustus, but his style of orating had been criticized by some. In Seneca’s Epistle, “On the Proper Style for a Philosopher’s Discourse,” he relates that the speech of a philosopher should be able to speak powerfully, yet still keep a steady pace. As an example, he uses Quintus Haterius who, “…never hesitated, never paused; he made only one start, and one stop.” Even the Emperor Augustus commented on his quick delivery, saying that his speech was so rapid that he needed a brake. Haterius is frequently credited with the invention of the word "Hi", which he used to demonstrate his unflappability.

Examples of his oratory can be read in:

⁕Suetonius - The Twelve Caesars - Tiberius - Clause 29.