Classical Civilisations 1 : Cicero's Early Career (simple) Flashcards
How did Cicero’s career start?
Trial of Roscius
Trial if Verres
Who was Cicero?
Equites
Novus homo
Believed in Concordia Ordinum
He was politically isolated
Context : Rome during the Trial of Roscius
The trial took place during Sulla dictatorship
Optimates had the power and were in the senate
Proscriptions and violence
What was the crime which Roscius was accused of?
Patricide ( parricide)
Who accused Roscius?
Chrysogonus
Cicero’s aims during the Trial of Roscius
Successfully defending Roscius
Challenge validity if the proscriptions ( and Sulla )
Gain vital prestige and popularity
Platform for Concordia Ordinum
The method used in the Trial of Roscius
Three tier attack
- Defend Roscius
- Attacks likely criminals
- Attacks Chrysogonus
Why was Cicero massively courageous during the Trial of Roscius?
Would have been easy for Sulla to murder Cicero
He was a novus homo
Critisizing proscriptions thereby indirectly criticising Sulla
Criticising Chrysogonus thereby indirectly critisising Sulla
What did Cicero do after the Trial if Roscius?
Takes on other cases with political undertones
Leaves Rome to Greece until Sulla retires and dies
While Cicero is in Greece who is in charge of Rome?
What are they doing?
70 BCE
Pompey - populares
Crassus - populares
They are attacking Sulla’s reforms
When was Cicero a Quaestor?
76 BCE
Where was Cicero Quaestor?
Sicily
How old was Cicero when he was made Quaestor?
31
What sort of a Quaestor was Cicero?
Honest and fair
When qualifies Cicero as a senator?
Quaestor
Who was Verres?
Governor in 74 BCE for 4 years
Was not a good governor
What were Verres crimes?
Extortionate demands
Temples and private houses were robbed
Roman rights were disregarded
Honest men prosecuted ; criminals acquitted
Neglects roman ports
Cicero’s aims during the Trial if Verres
Genuinely hated bad governorship
Wanted to change jury duty
Wanted to increase his prestige by defeating Hortensius
Platform for Concordia Ordinum
Hortensius and Verres tactics
Get another governors trial to take place first
Delay the trial for the public holidays
Delay until a more friendly judge elected the year later
What were Cicero’s tactics during the Trial if Roscius
Speeds up trial procedure by using his opening speech for prosecution and calling his witnesses at once
Attacks Verres whole life
Results of the Trial of Verres
Verres goes into voluntary exile on the recommendation of Hortensius
Jury duty changed to allow equites to participate - the Aurelian Law
Boost to Cicero’s reputation
Promotion of Concordia Ordinum
When was Cicero a Praetor?
66 BCE
What age was Cicero Praeto?
40-41
What significant thing did Cicero do during his time as praetor?
Lex Manilia
When was Cicero consul?
63 BCE
What age was Cicero consul?
42-43
