Josiah Osgood, a classics professor at Georgetown University and author of 'Lawless Republic,' dives into the world of Marcus Tullius Cicero, exploring his rise from a lawyer to a pivotal political figure. The discussion highlights Cicero's legal prowess and the dramatic cases that shaped his career, like the notorious Sextus Roscius trial. Osgood also sheds light on the Roman judicial system's public spectacle and the challenges Cicero faced during the Catiline conspiracy, revealing how such events influenced both law and society in ancient Rome.
Marcus Tullius Cicero's rise to prominence as a lawyer in a politically turbulent Rome highlighted the complexities of legal practice amidst civil unrest.
Cicero's early legal cases exemplified the theatricality of Roman trials, demonstrating how narrative and rhetoric were crucial for success in the courtroom.
The Catiline Conspiracy marked a turning point for Cicero, where his use of executive power raised critical questions about law, morality, and political responsibility.
Deep dives
Cicero's Early Life and Political Aspirations
Marcus Tullius Cicero, living during the last days of the Roman Republic, rose from a wealthy but politically uninvolved family to become a prominent lawyer and politician in Rome. His early ambitions were fueled by a clever mind and formal training in rhetoric from the leading public speakers in Rome. Cicero utilized his legal practice, particularly in the courts, to establish his reputation, which eventually led him to hold the esteemed office of consul. However, his rise was shadowed by political challenges and cautions stemming from the tumultuous era marked by civil wars and the dictatorship of Sulla.
The Impact of Sulla's Dictatorship
Sulla's dictatorship significantly altered the political landscape of Rome, creating an environment of fear and lawlessness that shaped Cicero's legal career. The proscriptions and civil wars that occurred during Sulla's rule instilled a sense of urgency among politicians to navigate a volatile system where loyalty could come at a dangerous cost. This backdrop influenced cases that Cicero would later argue, highlighting the moral complexities faced by those seeking power in a disordered society. Cicero's experiences within this politically charged atmosphere formed the foundation for his later legal philosophies and practices.
Legal Practices in Ancient Rome
Roman legal proceedings were characterized by a lack of formal mechanisms, such as the absence of official police or prosecutors, placing the onus of legal action on private citizens. Accusers were expected to advocate for themselves in court, leading to a highly theatrical atmosphere where rhetoric and public speaking skills were paramount to legal success. High-stakes trials often attracted large crowds, transforming legal disputes into public spectacles, with advocates like Cicero employing emotional appeals to sway jurors. This merging of law and theatrics underscored the importance of narrative, as winning a case often hinged on storytelling rather than concrete evidence.
The Trials of Cicero
Cicero's early trials, such as the defense of Sextus Roscius for the murder of his father, showcased his skill in manipulating public sentiment and constructing compelling narratives. By framing the case as a conspiracy rooted in wealthy familial greed, Cicero not only secured an acquittal for his client but also cemented his reputation as a formidable lawyer. His subsequent prosecution of Gaius Verres for extortion illustrated his ability to leverage political momentum to address corruption in the Roman Senate. Through meticulous preparation and strategic arguments, Cicero was able to bring to light Verres’ abuses, rallying public support against a governor notorious for his misdeeds.
The Catiline Conspiracy and Political Consequences
The Catiline Conspiracy marked a significant episode in Cicero’s career, as he transformed his consular powers into a prosecutorial force against the would-be dictator Lucius Sergius Catilina. Cicero's speeches, which dissected Catiline’s threats to the Republic, were not just legal arguments but pronounced political statements designed to rally support and vilify his opponent. After capturing conspirators in Rome and revealing evidence of their plot, Cicero faced the contentious decision of how to deal with them under Roman law, culminating in their execution without trial. This action sparked debates about the limits of executive power and the implications for the rule of law, ultimately leading to significant political fallout for Cicero himself.
Marcus Tullius Cicero lived from 106 BC to his murder in 43 BC. He was a writer, a philosopher, a traveller, a consul of the Roman Republic, and perhaps one of the last people to take the Roman Republic seriously–even when it was long past its shelf date. But most importantly, Cicero was a lawyer—and it was his practice of the law that was at the heart of his philosophy, politics, and devotion to the republic.
Josiah Osgood has written a biography of Cicero that is a biography of some of his most famous legal cases. Through this narrative, we see a gifted young lawyer literally take the stage in Rome, and over a career make impassioned speeches that will in time would undermine that same republic which he held so dear.
Josiah Osgood is professor of classics at Georgetown University. A winner of the Rome Prize, he is the author of six books on Roman history, the most recent of which is Lawless Republic: The Rise of Cicero and the Decline of Rome.
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