Murder Trials

An accomplished poet, philosopher, rhetorician, and humorist, Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC-43 BC) was also the greatest forensic orator Rome ever produced. But to Cicero, service to the res publica (literally, "the public affair") was a Roman citizen's highest duty. At age 26 (in 80 BC), he successfully defended a man prosecuted unjustly by a crony of the bloodthirsty dictator Sulla. In 69 BC, he brought to order the corrupt Sicilian governor Verres. As consul in 63 BC, he put down the Catilinarian conspiracy; later, he was sent into exile for refusing to join the First Triumvirate. Late in life, he led the Senate's gallant but unsuccessful battle against Antony, for which he paid with his life on 7 December 43 BC.

Murder Trials Introduction
I. In Defence of Sextus Roscius of Ameria
1. The Innocence of Sextus Roscius
2. The Guilt of Magnus and Capito
3. Chrysogonus: the Criminal behind the Scenes
II. In Defence of Aulus Cluentius Habitus
1. The Trial and Crimes of Oppianicus
2. Previous Verdicts Quoted AGainst Cluentius
3. The Innocence of Cluentius
III. In Defence of Gaius Rabirius
IV. Note on the Speeches in Defence of Caelius and Milo
V. In Defence of King Deiotarus
Appendix A: List of Terms
Appendix B: Genealogical Tables
Appendix C: Table of Dates
Appendix D: Further Reading
Maps
Index