M for Rome
m values
an rhetoric
Cicero’s career
Background to Cicero
106BC- Cicero is born as a novus homo (with no senatorial ancestors) but his family
was of good social respectability and had the support of powerful patrons.
Pro Roscio, background
ok
80BC- Pro Roscio-> Cicero’s first major case
->Roscius is accused of parricide (killing mumsipops and father) by Sullan
supporters
->None of Roseus’ patrons want to defend him as they fear Sulla [tbf I would to him
being dictator and all]
->Cicero takes on the case, demonstrating his fearless and clever approach (he did
not offend Sulla)
Background, personal and career
79BC- Cicero (27) marries Terentia (18) who has a large dowry, property and
income, connections to her aristocratic family ☁
79-77BC Cicero goes to Athens and Asia Minor to further study philosophy and
rhetoric
78BC- Tullia, his daughter, is born
76BC- Cicero is elected quaestor (finance of Rome)☁
75BC-Cicero is sent to Sicily (the breadbasket of Rome) as his job as quaestor. He
negotiates fairly and with leniency with the grain farmers for a fair supply of grain to
Rome. He manages to keep everyone happy (farmers, equestrians- the business
class, publicani- private tax collectors, Sicilians, Romans) ☁-for the people
&,
->Forms amicitia with the Marcelli family ≈populares more
builds political
experience But not in
Rome
-> Cicero returns to Rome, realising how important it is for his career
->He goes on to defend the Sicilians in In Verrem - shows some populares views in how heputs the people first
70BC- Cicero begins his campaign for aedile
- hyperbolic,showsofskillsasorator
-In Verrem case - boosts his reputationthensest as an opportunity to boast
- Verres is probs. acc guilty + she is defending Roman justice
69BC- Cicero is elected aedile (care for the city, provisions, take control of games)
->he has a whole network of supporters from all aspects of society
Catilinian Conspiracy
, 64BC- Cicero runs for consul against Catiline (he has already failed to run for consul
twice and has been funded by Crassus) and Hybrida. Cicero and Hybrida become
consul.
Cicero’s values (supposedly)
Concordia ordinum- Harmony of orders- keep peace and stability
Cum dignitate otium- In all aspects of life, maintain Roman values and morals.
63BC- Cicero tells senate that Catiline plans to kill elected consuls and take Rome if 1 :&"Yit9⅔
he is elected, delivers his speech in armour. Catiline loses the consul elections for but he could be
the 4th time. hyperbolic in order
to present himself
as a hero
July- Oct 63BC- Fulvia tells Cicero that Catiline is plotting against Rome; Gaius
Manlius (Sullan veteran) gathers troops in Etruria.
20th Oct 63BC- Crassus receives a warning letter to leave Rome as senators would
be killed on the 27th. Maybe Cicero wrote the letter to have evidence to support his
claims and to test Crassus’ loyalty to Catiline. (But it could have also been Crassus
or Catiline’s supporters)
27th Oct 63BC- NOTHING HAPPENS
28th Oct 63BC- trust in Cicero is restored when troops come in from the countryside;
and on the 1st Nov 63BC-> a failed attack on Praeneste takes place.
7/8th Nov 63BC- 1st Catiliniarian Speech at the Temple of Jupiter ☁
->Cicero speaks of the assassination plans; accuses Catiline of starting a revolt in
Etruria and Cicero urges Catiline to leave Rome Likely hyperbolic to play the hero
-> Catiline flees Rome and goes to Etruria • Protecting Rome from viscious person
9Th Nov 63BC-> 2nd Catilinian Speech ☁-warning, doesn'tpromote career as he just makes enemies
->Cicero says that Catiline has fled it an illegal army
->he describes him as debtors, criminals, and he describes Sulla’s veterans as
dangerous individuals
2nd Dec 63BC-> Allobroges hands over inform their patrons that they have been
approached by the conspirators who asked them to rebel in Gaul (to distract Roman
legions), Cicero sends men to intercept the conspirators, who are leading the
Allobroges to Catiline. Volturnus hands over the letters.
~ his
3rd Dec 63BC-> The conspirators are summoned to Cicero’s house where they house
confess 2
HE is the,
4th Dec 63BC-> Cicero hears of rumours to liberate Centurust and Cethegus from
their house arrest (at a senators house); Cicero feels he must act fast