Can jokes win a hostile room, a hopeless argument, or even an election? You bet they can, according to Cicero, and he knew what he was talking about. One of Rome's greatest politicians, speakers, and lawyers, Cicero was also reputedly one of antiquity's funniest people. After he was elected commander-in-chief and head of state, his enemies even started calling him 'the stand-up Consul.' 'How to Tell a Joke' provides a lively new translation of Cicero's essential writing on humour alongside that of the later Roman orator and educator Quintilian.