Introduction: Cicero’s Big Moment
Welcome to your study notes on Cicero as orator: In Verrem 1. If you’ve ever seen a high-stakes legal drama on TV, you’re already halfway to understanding this chapter! In 70 BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero took on the case of a lifetime. He wasn't just prosecuting a corrupt politician; he was trying to save the Roman justice system itself.
By the end of these notes, you will understand how Cicero used his incredible speaking skills to win the case and establish himself as the greatest orator in Rome. Don't worry if the Latin terms seem scary—we will break them down into simple steps!
Historical Context: The Trial of Gaius Verres
To understand the speech, we need to know what was happening in the res publica (the Roman state) at the time.
Who was Gaius Verres?
Verres was the former governor of Sicily. While he was in charge, he acted like a pirate rather than a leader. He stole precious art, executed Roman citizens without trial, and squeezed the local farmers for every penny they had.
The High Stakes:
The trial took place in 70 BC. At this time, the law courts were controlled entirely by Senators. Many people thought the courts were corrupt because Senators would often let their friends off the hook. This trial was a "make or break" moment: if Verres (a wealthy aristocrat) was found guilty, it would prove the Senate could still be trusted. If he was found innocent, the people might demand to take the courts away from the Senate.
Quick Review: Cicero was the prosecutor, and he was representing the people of Sicily. His opponent was Hortensius, the most famous lawyer in Rome at the time. Cicero was the underdog!
Cicero’s Strategy: A Race Against Time
Cicero knew that Verres’ legal team was trying to delay the trial. If they could push the trial into the next year, Verres’ friends would be in positions of power, and he would likely be acquitted.
In In Verrem 1, Cicero did something radical: he kept his opening speech short and went straight to the evidence and witnesses. He used the speech to warn the jury that their reputation was on trial as much as Verres' was.
Mastering the Rhetoric: Cicero’s Toolkit
To be a great orator, Cicero used specific "tools" to make his arguments stick. The OCR syllabus requires you to know four main techniques. Let's look at them using simple examples.
1. Anaphora
What is it? Repeating the same word or phrase at the beginning of successive sentences or clauses.
Example: "You stole the statues; you robbed the temples; you murdered the innocent."
Why use it? It creates a powerful rhythm. It’s like a hammer hitting a nail over and over again, making the point impossible to ignore. It makes the guilt of the person (Verres) feel overwhelming.
2. Apostrophe
What is it? Suddenly turning away from the jury to address someone or something else directly—often someone not actually present.
Example: "O, Gaius Verres! What were you thinking?" or "O, Mother Sicily, how you have suffered!"
Why use it? It adds high drama! It makes the speech feel more emotional and personal. It helps Cicero show his "outrage" and makes the audience feel that same anger.
3. Tricolon
What is it? A series of three parallel words, phrases, or clauses.
Example: "I have come, I have seen, I have conquered." (Or in Cicero's case: "A man of greed, a man of cruelty, a man of wickedness.")
Why use it? Humans naturally find things in groups of three more satisfying and memorable. A tricolon makes an argument feel complete and authoritative.
4. Hyperbole
What is it? Deliberate exaggeration for effect.
Example: "The whole of Sicily is crying out in pain!" or "Verres has committed more crimes than there are stars in the sky."
Why use it? It emphasizes the scale of the crime. Cicero wanted the jury to believe that Verres wasn't just a "bad" guy, but a "monster" whose crimes were so big they threatened the entire Roman world.
Key Takeaway Table: Rhetorical Devices
Technique: Anaphora
Definition: Repetition at the start of phrases.
Effect: Builds momentum and reinforces a single point.
Technique: Apostrophe
Definition: Directly addressing a person or object.
Effect: Increases emotional intensity and drama.
Technique: Tricolon
Definition: A set of three parallel points.
Effect: Makes an argument feel balanced and "complete."
Technique: Hyperbole
Definition: Obvious exaggeration.
Effect: Highlights the severity and shock-factor of the crimes.
Cicero’s Argument in In Verrem 1
In this specific speech, Cicero focuses on a few key themes:
- The Reputation of the Senate: He tells the jury (who are all Senators) that if they acquit Verres, the Roman people will hate them and take away their power.
- The "New Man" vs. Corruption: Cicero was a novus homo (the first in his family to reach the Senate). He uses this to show he is a "man of the people" fighting against the corrupt, old-fashioned aristocrats.
- The Evidence: He emphasizes that the evidence is so clear that even the best lawyer in Rome (Hortensius) cannot argue against it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't just name-drop: In an exam, don't just say "Cicero uses a tricolon." You must explain why he uses it. For example: "Cicero uses a tricolon to emphasize the three-fold nature of Verres' crimes, making his guilt seem undeniable to the jury."
Stay in the time period: Remember, this is the "Late Republic." This speech is part of the chaos leading up to the rise of Caesar and the fall of the Republic. (For more on Caesar, see the chapter on Caesar as popularis and dictator).
Did You Know?
Cicero was so successful with this opening strategy that Gaius Verres didn't even wait for the trial to finish! He realized he was going to lose and went into voluntary exile in Massilia (modern-day Marseille) before the jury could even vote. Cicero won without even having to deliver his full set of speeches!
Key Summary Checklist
1. Context: 70 BC, corruption in the courts, trial of Verres.
2. Purpose: Prosecute Verres AND save the Senate's reputation.
3. Tactics: Short speech, lots of witnesses, and heavy use of rhetoric.
4. Rhetoric: Anaphora, Apostrophe, Tricolon, and Hyperbole.