Book description
Cicero's speeches "In Defence of Sextus Roscius of Amerina,"
"In Defence of Aulus Cluentius Habitus," "In Defence of
Gaius Rabirius," "Note on the Speeches in Defence of Caelius
and Milo," and "In Defence of King Deiotarus" provide
insight into Roman life, law, and history. An accomplished poet,
philosopher, rhetorician, and humorist, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43
BC) was also the greatest forensic orator Rome ever produced. But to
Cicero, service to the res publica (literally, "the public
affair") was a Roman citizen's highest duty. At age 26 (in 80 BC),
he successfully defended a man prosecuted unjustly by a crony of the
bloodthirsty dictator Sulla. In 69 BC, he brought to order the corrupt
Sicilian governor Verres. As consul in 63 BC, he put down the
Catilinarian conspiracy; later, he was sent into exile for refusing to
join the First Triumvirate. Late in life, he led the Senate's gallant
but unsuccessful battle against Antony, for which he paid with his life
on 7 December 43 BC.
