M. Tullius Cicero, Pro S. Roscio Amerino, 54

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[54] But I give you leave to pass over those things, which, as you are silent, you admit have no existence. At all events you ought to make it evident that he did intend to disinherit him. What then do you allege to make us think that that was the case? You can say nothing with truth. Invent something at least with probability in it; that you may not manifestly be convicted of doing what you are openly doing—insulting the fortunes of this unhappy man, and the dignity of these noble judges. He meant to disinherit his son. On what account? I don't know. Did he disinherit him? No. Who hindered him? He was thinking of it. He was thinking of it? Who did he tell? No one. What is abusing the court of justice, and the laws, and your majesty, O judges, for the purposes of gain and lust, but accusing men in this manner, and bringing imputations against them which you not only are not able to prove, but which you do not even attempt 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.) — 54 focus

[54] verum concedo tibi ut ea praetereas quae, cum taces, nulla esse concedis; illud¹ quidem, voluisse exheredare, certe tu planum facere debes. quid ergo adfers qua re id factum putemus? vere nihil potes dicere²; finge aliquid saltem commode ut ne plane videaris id facere quod aperte facis, huius miseri fortunis et horum virorum talium dignitati inludere. exheredare filium voluit. quam ob causam? nescio. exheredavitne? non. quis prohibuit? cogitabat. cogitabat³? cui dixit? nemini. quid est aliud iudicio ac legibus ac maiestate vestra abuti ad quaestum atque ad⁴ libidinem nisi hoc modo accusare atque id obicere quod planum facere non modo non possis verum ne coneris quidem?

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

ad eamne rem , is it for this that , etc.

solent , the emphat. position may be represented by translating, it is the custom, etc.

qui excipiatis , to cut off

consilium : the jury, or body of judices, was called consilium. By calling it a public council, Cicero enhances its dignity and importance.

M. Tullius Cicero Pro S. Roscio Amerino 54

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