Cicero 80 43 BCE Revision

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80 BCE
Roscius Trial: Cicero defends Roscius, who has been charged of parricide by Chrysogonus, Sullas freedman. In an attempt to confiscate Roscius property, Chrysogonus adds Roscius father to the proscription list. Roscius is acquitted; this launches Cicero into the limelight, and shows he is willing to accept politically significant cases. Click to edit Master subtitle style

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76 BCE
Cicero elected quaestor in suo anno (at minimum age). Now a novus homo, under Sullas reforms (entry to senate). Sullas reforms:

Strengthens Senate Lex Annalis (Minimum age) Automatic entry into the 5/13/12 senate for ex-quaestors

75 BCE
Cicero is quaestor in Lilybaeum, western Sicily:

In charge of corn supply. Makes him popular with Roman plebeians, due to cheap supply Also builds up clientela with Sicilians Cicero realises he must stay in Rome for publicity... (leading to In Verrem)

Ban on tribunes holding further office 5/13/12

71 BCE

Pompeys popularis speech to the people mentioning reforming the law courts People hugely in favour of policy, as a result of the current level of corruption Showed how popularis politicians could easily manipulate the situation to their own political advantage (and advancement)

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Verres Trial:

70 BCE

Ciceros 1st prosecution Prosecuting Verres (corrupt governor of Sicily for 3 years (7371)) Cicero facing Hortensius, proclaimed King of the courts, and wins case Making him Romes supreme orator Case close to hearts of Sicilians, as Verres was stealing from the 5/13/12

69 BCE

Ciceros aedileship in suo anno Responsible for games & grain, etc. Roman territories increasingly under attack from Cilician pirates, causing increase in grain prices Ciceros aedileship didnt include lavish/expensive games he did not have the funds

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67 BCE

Praetorship elections Cicero in need of support from the people and the senate.

Cicero keeps quiet on lex Gabinia Pompeys proposal, through tribune Gabinius, in the peoples assembly Giving Pompey 3-year imperium to defeat the pirates in Asia Minor, replacing current general, Lucullus, who is angered by 5/13/12 the decision

66 BCE

Cicero elected praetor Presiding over law courts Has imperium Already thinking of consulship Openly supports lex Manilia, in the peoples assembly Bill extending Pompeys command in the East, to defeat Mithridates, King of Pontus, who had been attacking Roman client kingdoms, hugely disrupting trade & taxation (affecting equites) 5/13/12

65 BCE

Cicero opposes Crassus annexation of Egypt (wealthy country) Protecting Pompeys interests Crassus trying to match his growing power base in the East Caesars aedileship Organises most extravagant games Rome has ever seen Probably funded by Crassus
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64 BCE

Cicero attacks Antonius Hybrida & Catiline in senate, in toga candida (in the white toga) Shows inconsistency regarding Catiline Needed to show conservative credentials, as opposed to previous popularis actions, to secure support from optimates
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Cicero top of poll in July elections

63 BCE

Caesar appointed Pontifex Maximus (Head Priest) Hugely influential position Strongly opposes lex Agraria Bill proposed by tribune Rullus Give 10 men power to redistribute land (for the urban poor) Showing bias towards land-owning classes (equites & senatorial)

Ciceros consulship in suo anno:

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Catilinarian Conspiracy

Consul Cicero acts on secret intelligence (apparently from one of the conspirators lovers, Fulvia) Cicero avoids assassination Denounces Catiline, to his face, in the senate Catiline had proposed cancellation of all debt Making him popular with the poor, but opposed by the equites & senators

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62 BCE

Catiline dies in battle in January Cicero continues to blacken Catilines name after death To make his actions as consul, killing the conspirators, seem justified? Cicero develops political ideal of concordia ordinum Notices cooperation between equites & senate to secure the safety of the republic Bona Dea sacrilege Clodius

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61 BCE

Bona Dea trial (April) Cicero breaks Clodius alibi Trying to ingratiate himself with optimates by showing strong disapproval of Clodius Incurs Clodius hatred Clodius is acquitted through massive bribery (probably funded by Crassus?) Caesars propraetorship in Spain Cicero reluctantly speaks on behalf 5/13/12 of equestrian tax-farmers

Mid-60 & 59 BCE

Formation of the first triumvirate Shows irrelevance of Ciceros political ideals concordia ordinum & republican government under authority of the senate Caesar realises he must either have the support of OR the removal of Cicero Popular with Italians/Influence over Pompey/Oratorical skill/Prestige as ex-consul

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58 BCE

Clodius tribunate Introduces some populares measures:

Free corn supply Later used for bribery Law exiling/executing anyone who has had a Roman citizen put to death without trial Legalisation of collegias (clubs/gangs)

Cicero is not named under the law, but definitely a target of the law Cicero leaves for Macedonia before

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57 BCE

Pompey advocated Ciceros recall Caesar reluctantly supports his recall Cicero has a triumphant return to Rome Cicero subsequently proposes that Pompey be controller/curator of the corn supply To solve major lack of supply & high prices Making Pompey popular with urban masses 5/13/12

56 BCE

Ciceros palinode regarding the triumvirate Forced to recant in letters to Pompey and perhaps Caesar Cicero supports Caesars Gallic command in the senate Cicero effectively suppressed in the senate Conference at Luca Renewing the triumvirate: 5/13/12

55-51 BCE

Cicero out of politics Devoting time to philosophy Summer 53 BCE Cicero sends letter to Curio Curio not dependent on Cicero for political news Probably not genuine affection but attempt to get promising protg on side Political situation awful Too dangerous for Cicero to express feelings Maybe Curio has other close associates? 55 BCE Second joint consulship of 5/13/12 Crassus & Pompey

51-50 BCE

Ciceros governorship of Cilicia (May 51 Nov. 50)

Unintentional consequence of Pompeys legislation Province an addition of Pompeys in East Left province early to negotiate between Pompey & Caesar Missed crucial debate in senate during build up to civil war

Relied on Caelius Rufus for news in Rome Sent letter in April 50 No 5/13/12

49-48 BCE

Caesar crosses the Rubicon with army Illegal act of treason Beginning of civil war Ciceros negotiations between Pompey & Caesar fail Distressed; doesnt know who to join:

Letter from Pompey (Feb. 20th) asking C. to join Republicans Letter to Caesar (March 19th) urging diplomatic solution to stand-off

Letter from Caesar (16th April) dissuading 5/13/12 C. from joining Pompey Threatening tone

47-44 BCE

After the defeat of the Pompeians/Republicans at Pharsalus & Pompeys death, Cicero abandons their cause Self-imposed 11-month exile in Brundisium Caesar briefly in Italy (Sep. Nov. 47) Warmly greets Cicero in Brundisium Cicero divorces Terentia Later marries Pubilia, his wealthy young ward Divorce after Tullias death
5/13/12 Cicero speaks in praise of Cato

44-43 BCE

Caesars funeral Mark Antony stirs up a crowd against conspirators Forced to flee Rome Mark Antony (consul) quickly takes control of events Gains Caesars finances & support of Lepidus Probably altered Caesars will to benefit self Cicero out of Rome Fears Antonys supporters Criticises conspirators for not killing Antony too, even though 5/13/12

43 BCE

Octavian gained consulship No longer needed Cicero Befriended Antony & Lepidus 2nd Triumvirate formed in Nov. 43:

5-year coalition Octavian, Antony & Lepidus Power to make laws & nominate officials Effectively 3 dictators

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