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.
