Selected Orations of Cicero: Statesmanship, Republic, and Rhetoric

Selected Orations of Cicero: Statesmanship, Republic, and Rhetoric

Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero

Year: 1886

Cicero. Select Orations of Cicero . Edited by J. H. Allen. W. F. Allen, and R. B. Greenough, Ginn and Company, 1886. Cicero Statesmanship and Rhetorical Analysis Framework 1. Defence of Roscius (Pro Roscio Amerino) 1. Historical and Political Context Delivered in 80 BCE, this was Cicero’s first major case, defending Sextus Roscius of Ameria, who was accused of parricide. It was a dangerous time—under Sulla’s dictatorship, many property seizures were politically motivated. Cicero indirectly challenges Sulla’s freedman Chrysogonus, who likely orchestrated the prosecution to retain seized property. 2. Civic and Constitutional Themes Cicero implicitly defends the Roman legal tradition and citizen rights against corruption and extrajudicial actions. While careful not to challenge Sulla directly, he upholds the sanctity of Roman courts and the concept of ius gentium (universal legal justice). 3. Character and Statesmanship Young Cicero shows moral courage and emerging statesmanship by taking a risky case. He crafts himself as a loyal republican citizen daring to speak the truth, using rhetoric to defend not just Roscius, but legal due process itself. 4. Legal and Rhetorical Strategy Cice