Cicero In Verrem 1 Flashcards
In Verrem 1 Date=
70 BC
In Verrem 1 Author=
Cicero
In Verrem 1 short summary =
Cicero wrote 7 speeches. He only delivered 2. Cicero focuses on the responsibility of the jury,
details Verres’ crime before and after his office as governor ,
and reveals the ways that Verres and his supporters tried to pervert the course of justice
In Verrem Significance=
Cicero establishes his fame in Rome by successfully persecuting a wealthy member of the nobiles, who was defended by Hortensius, the leading orator of the time in Rome.
Date of the trail of Verres
70 BC
Judge at the trial
Glabrio
Defence lawyer of Verres
Hortensius
Alleged crime of Verres
Extortion of 400,000 sesterces from Sicily while he served as governor there from 73 BC to 71BC
Outcome of Verres’ trial
Verres found guilty, however he fled Rome and lived in exile for the rest of his life
Setting of In Verrem
Cicero delivered is speech in the extortion court in Rome
Because of a public festival occurring in Rome, Verres’ and Hortensius’ fame, many people flocked to watch the trail. Good for Cicero to raise his profile.
The jury compromised of senators. Significant as Verres was a nobile so he had political connections. On the other hand Cicero was a novus homo so he was depending on his oratorical skills to convince the senators.
Delivery of In Verrem
Cicero managed, even with a lot of setback created by Verres, to aquire a lot of evidence and witnesses to persecute Verres. His first speech was so well delivered and impactful that Hortensius advised Verres to go into exile and flee Rome
Effects of In Verrem on Cicero’s career
His oratorical prestige became acclaimed
Cicero’s views were to be called upon earlier in the senate
He extended his client base/ amicitea
Political views of Cicero that we see in In Verrem
He is fighting for status quo and traditional Roman values
Elevates optimates and senate back to a respectable level
Represents himself as a champion of Roman Law and Justice
Publication of In Verrem
He published all 7 speeches, even though he only delivered 2
Shows the importance he gave to them and the pride e had in them
His words could be monumentalised and stood for evidence of corruption in the senate
anaphora
repeated words/phrases.
Emphasise on them
apostrophe
‘oh’ when speakor addresses the third party. We see emotion
hyperbole
exaggeration of something. Makes the crimes of Verres seem more shocking and helps persuade jury. Puts emphasise on how bad something is
Tri colon
three words or phrases in order. Puts emphasis on them and the list
Description in detail
makes listener feel like they are there and persuasive
asyndeton
lack of conjugations. Makes the list of stuff seem more intense
polysndeton
too many conjugations ie and. Used to emphasise everything that is being listed
what did Cicero call himself
defender of the state
Cicero quote in In Verrem
Money speaks louder than justice
Theme: Duty to State
Regularly refers back to his shared love for Rome with the jury
Calls himself the defender of state and champion of law and justice
Reminds the jury about their duty
Patriotism and shared
He really wants to be accepted into the senatorial clique so by using personal pronouns while relating to their shared love for Rome.
HE WOULD RATHER DIE THAN FALL SHORT OF UPHOLDING REPUBLIC
Cicero’s portrayal of Verres
Used case to focus on his character and theme of corruption.
Detail evidence of all his crimes while holding political position
Incestous relationships with children and women. Maybe family of the jury
His crimes and how they affected the Republic, people and the gods
Alienates Verres
Enemy of State
By producing such a damning image of Verres it creates a feeling of superiority in the jury and thus they know its the moral thing to convict Verres
