Defence Speeches

by Marcus Tullius Cicero, D.H. Berry (Translator, Introduction, Notes)

'But I must stop now, I can no longer speak for tears--and my client has ordered that tears are not to be used in his defence.'

Cicero (106-43 BC) was the greatest orator of the ancient world: he dominated the Roman courts, usually appearing for the defence. His speeches are masterpieces of persuasion: compellingly written, and sometimes hilariously funny. This book presents five of his most famous defences: of Roscius, falsely accused of murdering his father; of the consul-elect Murena, accused of electoral bribery; of the poet Archias, on a citizenship charge; of Caelius, ex-lover of Clodia Metelli, on charges of violence; and of Milo, for murdering Cicero's hated enemy Clodius. Cicero's clients were rarely whiter-than-white, but so seductive is his oratory that the reader cannot help taking his side. In these speeches we are plunged into some of the most exciting courtroom dramas of all time.

These new translations preserve Cicero's literary artistry and emotional force, and achieve new standards of accuracy. Each speech has its own introduction discusses Cicero's public career and the criminal courts. The substantial explanatory notes guide the reader through the speeches, and offer new scholarship presented in a clear way.

Genres: Classics, History, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Classical Studies, Roman, Ancient History

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 4, 2001

About the author

Born 3 January 106 BC, Arpinum, Italy
Died 7 December 43 BC (aged 63), Formia, Italy

Marcus Tullius Cicero was a Roman philosopher, statesman, lawyer, political theorist, and Roman constitutionalist. Cicero is widely considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists.

Alternate profiles:
Cicéron
Marco Tullio Cicerone
Cicerone

Note: All editions should have Marcus Tullius Cicero as primary author. Editions with another name on the cover should have that name added as secondary author.

Reviews

[Zachary Rudolph · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I for one am not ashamed to admit that I am devoted to the study of literature. Let others be ashamed if they have buried their heads in books and have not been able to find anything in them which could either be applied to the common good or brought out into the open and the light of day.”

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

"[T]he study of literature sharpens youth and delights old age; it enhances prosperity and provides a refuge and comfort in adversity[.]"

Cicero lived in a Republic dominated by partisan politics, where contenders for leadership positions flouted laws in the name of national security, and where the threat of populist demagogues led Cicero to take extra-legal action to save the country. This is ironic, because he defended Caesar's killing as a blow against tyranny in his amazing Philippics, only to be killed as Rome came under the sway of Emperors instead of elected officials. Not to say he was a huge believer in universal suffrage: "There's nothing more fickle than the masses, nothing more unfathomable than people's intentions, nothing more misleading than the entire process of an election." (p. 83, Pro Murena)

Here he is on literature, crime, democracy, self-defense, and glory, the only guaranteed afterlife a person can achieve. This volume's translator and editor presents him as a shrewd and canny politically-motivated public speaker, not above manipulating the truth in an attempt to win a trial. Any student of American history and politics should read Cicero.

[Asaf Cygelberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading this you may encounter the exclamation "By Hercules", which is amusing, used in the way we now use "By God".

Cicero has long and complicated speeches. Expect rhetorical questions, compliments to the the judge and jury and a lot of talk about loosely related matters.

It is somewhat interesting, though. Reminds one of lawyers of today's age. With some similarity to a political speech of nowadays too.

I would perhaps read just one of the speeches, to get an idea of the style and so on. I don't know if five speeches of his are necessary really.

The book contains the defense speeches made by Cicero (all around 60 BC), in five cases he spoke in. A person accused of murdering his father, a politician accused of bribe, etc.

[Fanda Kutubuku · Rating 4 out of 5]

From five speeches, my favorite is number 1,3, and 4. Maybe Pro Roscio is slightly better than the other 2. Ironically, Pro Milo is called one of Cicero's masterpieces, while I didn't like it. In most of it Cicero preaised Milo, condemned Clodius, and pleaded to the senate. Well, maybe if I were more familiar with the condition, it would sound different.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

It baffles me that people think slander and lies constitute great literature. These speeches by Cicero are a demonstration of his out right mischaracterizing of the truth, pandering poets in hopes of getting a poem written for him, or spending 40 pages calling a woman a whore. Cicero deserved his fate.

[Okan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Left me wishing the UK had a better education system. It would have been great to have studied this whilst still at school. Maybe our debates wouldn't be so dull and witless if we all read a bit of Cicero; though I know I dream.

[Chi-Tathon Kupwiwat · Rating 5 out of 5]

บันทึกที่ถูกทดสอบคุณค่าด้วยกาลเวลาและสถานการณ์ แนะนำสำหรับ ผู้อยู่ในวงสนทนา, ผู้ที่พูดต่อหน้าผู้คน และผู้ที่ให้คุณค่ากับคำพูดของตน :)

[Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish notes were footnotes not endnotes, introductions for the book and each speech make reading a longer and more straining process.

[mish · Rating 3 out of 5]

loved the intro, interesting speeches, would’ve loved if i could’ve listened to someone read the speeches out loud though

[James Violand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to anyone interested in the history of a judicial system.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cicero's such a smart ass. :)