M. Tullius Cicero, Pro S. Roscio Amerino, 34

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[34] Is not this case very like that speech and action of Fimbria? You are accusing Sextus Roscius. Why so? Because he escaped out of your hands; because he did not allow himself to be murdered. The one action, because it was done against Scaevola, appears scandalous; this one, because it is done by Chrysogonus, is intolerable. For, in the name of the immortal gods, what is there in this cause that requires a defence? What topic is there requiring the ability of an advocate, or even very much needing eloquence of speech? Let us, O judges, unfold the whole case, and when it is set before our eyes, let us consider it; by this means you will easily understand on what the whole case turns, and on what matters I ought to dwell, and what decision you ought to come to.

Pro S. Roscio Amerino. M. Tullius Cicero. London. 1903.

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Current edition Perseus

For Sextus Roscius of Ameria (English) (Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, Volume 1. Yonge, Charles Duke, translator. London: Bell, 1903.)

Editions (1)

Pro Sex. Roscio Amerino Perseus (Cicero. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes, Volume 1. Clark, Albert Curtis, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1908.) — 34 focus

[34] estne hoc illi dicto atque facto Fimbriano¹ simillimum? accusatis Sex. Roscium. quid ita? quia de manibus vestris effugit, quia se occidi passus non est. illud, quia in Scaevola factum est, magis² indignum videtur, hoc, quia fit a Chrysogono, non³ est ferendum⁴. nam per deos immortalis! quid est in hac causa quod defensionis indigeat? qui locus ingenium patroni requirit aut oratoris eloquentiam magno opere desiderat? totam causam, iudices, explicemus atque ante oculos expositam consideremus; ita facillime quae res totum iudicium contineat et quibus de⁵ rebus nos dicere oporteat et quid vos sequi conveniat intellegetis.

Commentary

Notes on Pro S. Roscio Amerino (Select Orations of Cicero (Allen and Greenough's Edition). Greenough, James Bradstreet; Kittredge, George Lyman, editors. Boston, London: Ginn & Company, 1897.) focus

missa facio , I let that-pass (

missa agreeing with

haec , obj. of

facio ) ; such phrases are often used colloquially or with emphasis, for the simple verb: § 497 , c (292, d) ; G. 537 ; H.-B. 605, 4.

illud quaero , THIS is what I want to know.

per quos : these words are the interrogative expression with which the clause grammatically begins ;

is homo is put first for emphasis.

suspiciose , i.e. so as to look suspicious.

in his rebus , but in these circumstances, i.e. those in our case (emphatic position).

suspicio . . . culpam : i.e. in so clear a case I will not ask Erucius for proof of guilt ; if he can show any suspicious circumstance, it shall suffice.

credo , I suppose: ironical, as usual when parenthetical.

causa dicitur , the defendant is on trial (a technical term: lit. the case is argued, i.e. by the defendant).

M. Tullius Cicero Pro S. Roscio Amerino 34

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