The Making of Cicero

Above: Cicero addresses the Senate

Throughout Roman history, the skill of oratory had always remained a highly valued part of society. Whether it was the fierce political speeches given by Senators, or the pleas of innocence made in the law courts, Roman society relied upon the ability of its speakers to lead the republic and provide a sense of direction for its citizens. Oratory – which broadly involved the giving of speeches, debating, and the handling of legal trials – was a fiercely competitive industry, attracting political hopefuls and great legal minds alike to test their ability. Whilst Rome was particularly renowned for its great speakers, no one stands out more for their ability in the field than Marcus Tullius Cicecro (106-43 BC). Best known for his role in the republics eventual collapse, alongside his vain attempt to protect traditional Roman values, Cicero was able to ascend to a position of political power on the back of his great oratorical skill. But for Cicero, it was one trial in particular that would give him the impetus he needed for his great political career.

The Master and the Apprentice

In the first century BC, the field of oratory in Roman was dominated by one man – Quintus Hortensius Hortalus. Known for his exaggerated style of oratory, when he spoke it was said that actors would fill the law court – hoping to witness first-hand the style and grace with which Hortensius would deliver his lines. In Rome, Hortensius had become a superstar through his ability to speak during a trial, and had gained a wealth of political connections. He was a person friend of Sulla during his time as dictator, and he supposedly even delivered his funeral oration. At this time, a young Cicero could not have failed to look upon Hortensius as his ultimate test.

If Hortensius was the greatest orator of his day, Cicero was certainly the rising star within Rome. Cicero had come from an undistinguished provincial family in the town of Arpinum, and he too had shown a great ability for oratory from an early age. Whilst still a child, the parents of his friends would come to see him deliver speeches, and he had built on this early talent and continued his studies of oratory in Rome. It took him until his mid 20’s to make his debut in the law courts, but from then on Cicero appeared unstoppable. Helped by the civil war between Marius and Sulla, which had seen a number of Rome’s leading orators killed, Cicero was able to fill the void – and in turn he quickly rose up through the ranks. He reached the Quaestorship in 75 BC, serving in Sicily, and had become known from his fair nature and opposition to corruption as a public servant. It was through his time in Sicily that Cicero would finally get the opportunity he had longed for – a chance to go up against Hortensius in the law courts.

The Trial

For the people of Sicily, Gaius Verres was a name synonymous with corruption. Having served as governor of Sicily (73-71 BC), Verres had done everything possible to plunder, steal and loot from the island. Verres had a particular taste for Greek art, and was known to force locals to sell their possessions at low prices – making him extremely wealthy. Roman governors had a reputation for corruption, but Verres took it to a whole new level – bringing out a gang of specialists who would scour the land in search of antiques to steal.  He was even said to have crucified Roman citizens who opposed him. For Cicero, this was an affront to everything that the Republic stood for. He described Verres as being “distinguished by nothing expect in monstrous offences and his obscene wealth” and took on the prosecution.

This decision was undoubtedly a risk for Cicero. This was his first prosecution, having previously been a defence specialist. Furthermore, Verres had friends in high place. Not only was he friends with many powerful figures in Rome, including Hortensius, but he had the wealth and contacts to make witnesses go silent or disappear altogether. Hortensius attempted to delay the trial until the next year, when some of Verres friends would become Consuls, and wished to defeat Cicero through dirty tactics and outright corruption. However, when all seemed lost, Cicero’s brilliance as an orator would shine through.

Justice Is Served

Seeing that he was faced with future delays, and knowing that further postponement would almost certainly see Verres acquitted by his friends, Cicero changed his strategy. He presented his evidence immediately in short speeches, laying out his argument quickly and rapidly. When delivered in this manner, the evidence was damning – and not long after he started, Hortensius could see that the game was up.  The trial was abandoned, and Verres would flee (with his art collection) to exile in Marseille. For Cicero, this was his moment in the spotlight. The trial finished so abruptly that he was not even able to finish his speeches – which he would later publish for future generations to behold. Cicero, through his victory over Hortensius, now found himself as the undisputed master of oratory in Rome.

The trial would serve as a springboard for Cicero to later become one of the foremost politicians in the late republic, and undoubtedly played a key role in the advancement of his career (alongside his reputation as a legendary orator). But on a personal level, this would be a moral victory for Cicero. Faced with everything he despised in the republic of his time – corruption, greed and injustice – he was able to overcome the odds and bring justice to the victims of Verres. It would be his determination to oppose injustice, alongside his great talent for oratory, that would drive Cicero on to further successes throughout his long and distinguished career.