I want to tell you about a man whose words shook the very foundations of ancient Rome. A man who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the greatest orators in history. That man is none other than Marcus Tullius Cicero. Cicero speeches are remarkable.
Born in 106 BC, Cicero speeches and journey to greatness were anything but easy. But with a sharp mind and a gift for language, he quickly made a name for himself as a brilliant lawyer and speaker. And oh, the speeches he gave!
So, are you ready to unravel the power of Cicero’s speeches? To discover the secrets behind his incredible eloquence and the lasting impact of his words? Let’s dive in!
Table Of Contents:
- Cicero’s Early Life and Education: Cicero Speeches
- Speeches Against Verres: Cicero Speeches
- Speeches During Cicero’s Consulship: Cicero Speeches
- Speeches from Cicero’s Later Career: Cicero Speeches
- The Philippics and Cicero’s Final Speeches: Cicero Speeches
- Conclusion: Cicero Speeches
Cicero’s Early Life and Education: Cicero Speeches
Born in 106 BCE in the town of Arpinum, over 100km from Rome, Cicero began his career as an outsider to the Roman political elite. Although the distinctions between classes in Rome had shifted by the late Republic, many prominent figures that dominated the political landscape still came from powerful and established patrician families. Instead, Cicero was a novus homo, or new man, the first in his family to enter the senate and later serve as consul. Cicero’s rising status in the capital began with his appearances in the city’s law courts, with his earliest published speech coming in 81 BCE at age 26.
Cicero’s family background: Cicero Speeches
Marcus Tullius Cicero was born on January 3, 106 BC, in Arpinum, a hill town 100 kilometers southeast of Rome. His father was a well-to-do member of the equestrian order and possessed good connections in Rome. However, being a semi-invalid, he could not enter public life and studied extensively to compensate.
Cicero’s education in rhetoric and philosophy
At a young age, he discovered the Greek philosopher Plato and learned the Socratic method of inquiry. He also studied Roman law, oratory, philosophy, and literature in Rome under Mucius Scaevola.
Cicero’s early career as a lawyer
Cicero began his career as a lawyer around 83-81 BC. His first major case, which a written record survives, was his 80 BC defense of Sextus Roscius on the charge of patricide. Taking this case was a courageous move for Cicero; patricide was considered an appalling crime, and the people whom Cicero accused of the murder were men of influence and power.
Notable Speeches from Cicero’s Early Career
Cicero’s most famous work as a lawyer came in 70 BCE in a case in which Cicero prosecuted Roman magistrate Gaius Verres. The charges related to allegations of corruption while Verres was the governor of Sicily. After Cicero had made his first speech, largely addressing Verres’ attempts to delay the trial, Verres left Rome in voluntary exile on the advice of his lawyer, Hortensius. Cicero’s success in this trial helped build his reputation as one of Rome’s pre-eminent orators, an invaluable skill for a political career in the capital.
In Defense of Publius Quinctius (Pro Quinctio)
In 81 BC, Cicero defended Publius Quinctius in a civil case. The speech, Pro Quinctio, showcased Cicero’s early oratorical skills and helped establish his reputation as a skilled advocate in the Roman courts. The case involved a dispute over property ownership and financial dealings between Quinctius and his former business partner.
In Defense of Sextus Roscius of Ameria (Pro Roscio Amerino)
In 80 BC, Cicero took on the defense of Sextus Roscius, who was accused of patricide. This was a bold move for the young lawyer, as the prosecution was supported by Sulla, the dictator of Rome at the time. In his speech Pro Roscio Amerino, Cicero successfully argued for Roscius’ innocence, showcasing his legal argumentation skill and courage in standing up to powerful political figures.
Cicero’s early success as an orator
Cicero’s defense of Sextus Roscius was an important moment in his career. His courageous defense opposing the dictator Sulla earned him much popularity and launched his successful career as a lawyer and statesman. The case established Cicero as a leading advocate and set the stage for his future successes in the Roman legal and political spheres.
Speeches Against Verres: Cicero Speeches
In 75 BCE, having been appointed as a quaestor, the most junior office in the cursus honorum, Cicero was assigned to the province of Western Sicily. While serving in the province, Cicero became aware of Governor Gaius Verres’ corrupt practices. Verres gained Sulla’s favor when he switched allegiances in Sulla’s civil war. He retained his political influence after Sulla’s death in 78 BCE and served as governor of Sicily from 74 BCE to 70 BCE.
Background on Gaius Verres: Cicero Speeches
Gaius Verres was a Roman magistrate who served as governor of Sicily from 73 to 71 BC. During his governorship, he was accused of severely mismanaging the province and misappropriating large public funds. Cicero, who served as quaestor in Sicily in 75 BC, was approached by the Sicilians to prosecute Verres for his alleged crimes.
First speech against Verres (Actio Prima)
In 70 BC, Cicero delivered his first speech against Verres, known as the Actio Prima. In this speech, Cicero laid out the charges against Verres and presented evidence of his misconduct as governor of Sicily. The speech was designed to convince the court to allow Cicero to proceed with the prosecution and gather further evidence against Verres.
Second speech against Verres (Actio Secunda)
Although Cicero never delivered the second speech against Verres (Actio Secunda) in court, as Verres fled into exile before the trial could be completed, the written version of the speech survives. In the Actio Secunda, Cicero presents a detailed account of Verres’ alleged crimes, including extortion, bribery, and the misappropriation of public funds. The speech showcases Cicero’s skill in constructing a compelling legal argument and his ability to use rhetorical devices to persuade his audience.
Impact of the Verres speeches on Cicero’s career
The Verres case was a major milestone in Cicero’s career. His successful prosecution of a powerful and influential figure like Verres established him as one of Rome’s leading advocates and earned him widespread recognition. The speeches against Verres also demonstrated Cicero’s skill in using oratory to advance his political career and his commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law.
Speeches During Cicero’s Consulship: Cicero Speeches
Cicero’s success in this prosecution helped propel his political career, and he was elected consul only seven years later in 63 BCE. The defining moment of Cicero’s political career came during this consulship in a series of speeches addressed to the senate in which Cicero accused Senator Catiline of a conspiracy against the Roman state. Catiline had stood for consul the year before but lost the election to Cicero. After a further defeat in the consular elections of 63 BCE, Catiline began forming a group of political malcontents building support after Rullus’ land reform bill was quashed partly due to Cicero’s resistance to the proposal.
Cicero’s election as consul
In 64 BC, Cicero was elected consul, the highest elected office in the Roman Republic. He was the first “new man” (novus homo) in over 30 years to attain the consulship, meaning he was the first in his family to serve in the Senate. Cicero’s election was a testament to his skill as an orator and growing political influence.
The Catilinarian Orations: Cicero Speeches
During his consulship, Cicero delivered a series of speeches known as the Catilinarian Orations, in which he exposed and denounced the conspiracy of Catiline to overthrow the Roman Republic. In these speeches, Cicero presented evidence of Catiline’s plot, called for the Senate to take action against the conspirators, and defended his own actions in suppressing the conspiracy. The Catilinarian Orations are considered some of Cicero’s finest speeches and a key moment in his political career.
Cicero’s role in suppressing Catiline’s conspiracy
As consul, Cicero played a crucial role in uncovering and suppressing the conspiracy of Catiline. He gathered evidence of the plot, informed the Senate of the danger, and took decisive action to arrest and execute several of the conspirators. Cicero’s actions earned him the title of “pater patriae” (father of the country) and cemented his reputation as a defender of the Republic.
Other speeches during Cicero’s consulship
In addition to the Catilinarian Orations, Cicero delivered several other notable speeches during his consulship. These include the speech in support of the Manilian Law (De Lege Manilia), which granted Pompey the Great command in the war against Mithridates, and the speech defending the poet Archias (Pro Archia Poeta), in which Cicero argued for the value of the liberal arts and the importance of granting citizenship to worthy individuals.
Speeches from Cicero’s Later Career: Cicero Speeches
The decision to execute the alleged conspirators without trial was controversial in the years following the conspiracy, with modern debates echoing similar themes around excesses of the state justified by national security arguments. These speeches were characteristic of Cicero’s complex legacy, leveraging powerful and persuasive oratory to achieve personal political goals in a time of instability. Some have interpreted Clodius’ exile of Cicero as politically motivated, acting on behalf of the triumvirate to remove the political challenge that Cicero presented.
In Defense of Lucius Murena (Pro Murena)
63 BC, he defended Lucius Murena, who was accused of bribery during his campaign for the consulship. In his speech Pro Murena, his used humor and wit to undermine the prosecution’s case and argued that Murena’s military experience made him a better candidate for the consulship than his opponent, the jurist Servius Sulpicius Rufus. The speech showcases Cicero’s skill in adapting his oratorical style to the needs of a particular case.
In Defense of Publius Sestius (Pro Sestio)
56 BC, Cicero defended Publius Sestius, a tribune who had been instrumental in securing Cicero’s return from exile. In his speech, Pro Sestio, He argued that Sestius had acted in the state’s best interests and praised him for his courage in standing up to the populist politician Clodius. The speech is notable for Cicero’s defense of his own actions during his consulship and his criticism of the political violence that had become increasingly common in Rome.
For Marcus Marcellus (Pro Marcello): Cicero Speeches
In 46 BC, Cicero delivered a speech in the Senate thanking Julius Caesar for pardoning Marcus Marcellus, a former consul who had opposed Caesar during the Civil War. In the speech, Pro Marcello, Cicero praised Caesar’s clemency and urged him to use his power to restore peace and stability to the Roman state. The speech is notable for Cicero’s attempt to reconcile with Caesar and his hope that the dictator would use his power for the good of the Republic.
Cicero’s return from exile and later political speeches
He delivered several notable speeches during this period, including the speech thanking the Senate for his return (Post Reditum in Senatu) and the speech to the people upon his return (Post Reditum ad Quirites). These speeches showcase Cicero’s efforts to rebuild his political influence and his continued commitment to the ideals of the Republic.
The Philippics and Cicero’s Final Speeches: Cicero Speeches
Various factors contributed to Cicero’s influence on the Latin language throughout the Roman Empire and later in Renaissance Europe. One of these factors is the volume of his published work throughout the final half-century of the Roman Republic. Classicist Stephen Harrison highlighted this, stating, “Latin literature in the period 90–40 BCE presents one feature that is unique in Classical, and perhaps even in the whole of Western literature… …
Background on the Philippics
The Philippics are a series of 14 speeches delivered by Cicero in 44 and 43 BC after the assassination of Julius Caesar. The speeches were named after the Philippic orations of Demosthenes, the ancient Greek orator who spoke out against Philip II of Macedon. In the Philippics, Cicero attacked Mark Antony, Caesar’s former ally and one of the leaders of the post-Caesarian government, accusing him of tyranny and urging the Senate to take action against him.
First Philippic: Cicero Speeches
Cicero delivered his First Philippic on September 2, 44 BC, in response to a speech by Mark Antony the previous day. In the speech, Cicero criticized Antony’s actions since Caesar’s assassination and accused him of abusing his power as consul. He also defended his decision to leave Rome and expressed his hope that Antony would change his ways and work for the good of the Republic.
Second Philippic
The Second Philippic, delivered in the Senate on September 19, 44 BC, is the most famous of Cicero’s Philippics. In the speech, Cicero launched a scathing attack on Mark Antony, accusing him of numerous crimes and abuses of power. He also praised the tyrannicides Brutus and Cassius and urged the Senate to support them in their fight against Antony.
Later Philippics and Cicero’s opposition to Mark Antony
Cicero delivered twelve more Philippics between September 44 and April 43 BC, continuing his attacks on Mark Antony and his efforts to rally the Senate against him. In these speeches, Cicero accused Antony of various crimes, including the illegal seizure of public funds, the mistreatment of provincial populations, and the betrayal of the Republic. He also urged the Senate to declare Antony an enemy of the state and to support the forces of Brutus and Cassius in their fight against him. Despite Cicero’s efforts, Antony eventually formed an alliance with Octavian (later Augustus) and Lepidus, leading to the formation of the Second Triumvirate and the proscription of Cicero as an enemy of the state.
Key Takeaway: Cicero Speeches
Cicero Speeches. Cicero’s rise from outsider to top orator began with his bold defense of Sextus Roscius, showcasing courage and skill.
Conclusion: Cicero Speeches
Cicero speeches were more than words; they were a force to be reckoned with. Cicero’s voice never wavered from his early days as a young lawyer to his final stand against tyranny. His words inspired, challenged, and transformed the world around him.
Through Caesarian speeches, we see the power of language to shape history, move hearts and minds, and fight for what is right. Cicero’s legacy lives on, not just in the annals of history but in the very fabric of our modern world.
So, the next time you struggle to find the right words, remember Cicero. Remember the man who stood tall in the face of adversity, who spoke truth to power, and who left an indelible mark on the world. That, my friends, is the true power of Cicero’s speeches.
