M. Tullius Cicero, Pro S. Roscio Amerino, 42

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[42] I know not, says he, what cause for displeasure there was; but I know that displeasure existed; because formerly, when he had two sons, he chose that other one, who is dead; to be at all times with himself, but sent this other one to his farms in the country. The same thing which happened to Erucius in supporting this wicked and trifling charge, has happened to me in advocating a most righteous cause. He could find no means of supporting this trumped-up charge; I can hardly find out by what arguments I am to invalidate and get rid of such trifling circumstances.

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.) — 42 focus

[42] 15 nescio inquit quae causa odi fuerit; fuisse odium intellego quia antea, cum duos filios haberet, illum alterum qui mortuus est secum omni tempore volebat esse, hunc in praedia rustica relegarat.¹ quod Erucio accidebat in mala nugatoriaque accusatione, idem mihi usu² venit in causa optima. ille quo modo crimen commenticium confirmaret non inveniebat, ego res tam levis qua ratione infirmem ac diluam reperire non possum.

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

placet , do I like ? i.e. do I think it right?

imprudentia , want of foresight.

etenim si , etc. (the apod. is

quid miramur , p. 17, l. 32 ). The comparison that follows is perhaps somewhat strained ; but it accords with the habits of thought of the ancients, to whom the powers of a supreme ruler appeared in a manner divine. (Cf. the language used of Caesar in the Oration for Marcellus.) The tone in which kings were addressed in modern literature until very recent times may be compared (see, e.g., Bacon's dedication of his Advancement of Learning to James I).

pernicii , for perniciei: § 98 , N. (74, a); B. 52, 2; G. 63, N.1; H. 134, 2 and 3 (121, 1); cf. H.-B. 100, 3.

vi ipsa . . . rerum , by the very violence of the elements, - the agents or powers which he has to control.

cum is causal, but may be translated when.

nisi , here as often (more commonly with forte or vero) introducing a reductio ad absurdum: § 525 , b and N. (315, b arid N.) ; G. 591, R.4; H.-B. 578.3, a.

quod , pron.: the anteced. is

id .

possit ,

adepta . . . sit , informal indir. disc., as expressing the thought of the person surprised: § 592 (341); B. 323; G. 662; H. 649. i (528); H.-B. 535, 1, a.

si . . . sit , clause with

mirum : § 572 , b, N. (333, R.) ; G. 542, N.1.

M. Tullius Cicero Pro S. Roscio Amerino 42

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