M. Tullius Cicero, Pro S. Roscio Amerino, 5

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[5] On these accounts I have stood forward as the advocate in this cause, not as being the one selected who could plead with the greatest ability, but as the one left of the whole body who could do so with the least danger; and not in order that Sextus Roscius might he defended by a sufficiently able advocacy, but that he might not be wholly abandoned. Perhaps you may ask, What is that dread, and what is that alarm which hinders so many, and such eminent men, from being willing, as they usually are, to plead on behalf of the life and fortunes of another? And it is not strange that you are as yet ignorant of this, because all mention of the matter which has given rise to this trial has been designedly omitted by the accusers.

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.) — 5 focus

[5] 2 his de causis ego huic causae patronus exstiti, non electus unus qui maximo ingenio sed relictus ex omnibus qui minimo periculo possem¹ dicere, neque uti satis firmo praesidio defensus Sex. Roscius verum uti ne omnino desertus esset.

forsitan quaeratis qui iste terror sit et quae tanta formido quae tot ac talis viros impediat quo minus pro capite et fortunis alterius quem ad modum consuerunt² causam velint dicere. quod adhuc vos ignorare non mirum est, propterea quod consulto ab accusatoribus eius rei quae conflavit hoc iudicium mentio facta non est.

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

hujusce , of my client.

municeps Amerinus , a citizen of the free town Ameria. The Latin uses an adj. of possession when it can, often where the English prefers of: § 343 , a (190); B. 354, 4; G. 362, R.1; H. (395, N.2). Cf. Aeneid, 2. 55 , 487 , etc.

hospitiis , guest-friendships. The hospitium was a relation between individuals of different cities or states, at a time when there were no international relations ; it included the duties of hospitality and protection, was transmitted from father to son, and was vouched for by a ticket ( tessera). Roscius not only had this formal relation to several of the greatest families at Rome, but he was also on intimate terms of personal friendship with them. Hence, in line 27,

domesticus . . . consuetudo , intercourse and companionship [with them] in their homes.

honestatis . . . gratia (so

honoris causa , § 17 ), with all honor. It seems to have been held a liberty to mention the name of any person of quality in a public address ; hence such mention is generally accompanied by a form of compliment. Cf. the modern parliamentary usage of referring to members of a deliberative body by the names of their offices (or as the "gentleman from ") rather than by their own names.

hoc solum , i.e. the hospitium

domestici , of his own house.

ereptum possident , have seized and now hold: § 496 , N.2 (292, R.) ; G. 664, R.1; H.639 (549,5); H.-B. 604, 1 ; possidere does not signify to own, in the modern sense, but merely to hold or occupy .

innocentis , i.e.

fili : in Latin any noun may be left out if there is an adj. or a participle to determine its case.

defenditur : Cicero skillfully contrives to keep before the jury the fact that Roscius has powerful friends who desire his acquittal.

M. Tullius Cicero Pro S. Roscio Amerino 5

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