Julius Caesar and Cicero: Roman History and Oratory
Julius Caesar: Roman Statesman and General
Julius Caesar was born into the Julia family, considered descendants of the Trojan hero Iulus. He began his political career at an early age and held several magistracies. He was elected consul in 59 BC. He participated in the First Triumvirate of the Roman Republic, together with Crassus and Pompey, and ended up facing the latter in a civil war. Once Pompey was defeated, Caesar made himself dictator in 45 BC. In 44 BC, he was assassinated on the same day he was to be appointed emperor.
Caesar cannot be considered a historian in the traditional sense because his work is structured not with the intention to disclose the true facts in which he was involved, but rather to justify his actions and defend himself against criticism and accusations received from his contemporaries. Caesar’s historical work is collected in a series of letters, called Commentaries, to tell the vicissitudes of the campaign in Gaul. The Commentaries are characterized by the liveliness of the story, without extensive passages, which seeks a purity of language, not affected by vulgarisms, archaisms, or poetic structures. Caesar wrote these commentaries from technical reports made by his soldiers, reports that he sent to the Senate, and personal notes on campaigns. There are passages that reflect the customs of the peoples with whom he came into contact, and he accurately describes where the war took place.
Cicero: Master of Latin Oratory
Cicero was one of the most important Latin orators. Oratory is the art of expressing oneself well and convincing listeners. It was essential for anyone who wanted to dedicate themselves to a political career. It was the main subject of higher education. Marcus Tullius Cicero was born in 106 BC in Arpino (Lazio). In 63 BC, he became consul and delivered the four Catilinarians, speeches against Catiline’s failed conspiracy against the Republic, and had the major conspirators executed. In 48 BC, he retired from political life, and in 43 BC, he was assassinated at his villa.
Cicero’s Notable Works
His speeches were numerous. Among them are:
- Legal Defense of the Poet Archias: Archias had been deprived of citizenship.
- Defense of Milo: Milo was accused of the assassination of Clodius, though Cicero argued he was not guilty.
- Verrines: Verres was accused of having abused his position and plundered the island of Sicily.
- The Philippics: 14 speeches in which Cicero attacked Mark Antony.
- Catilinarians: Perhaps the best-known works of Cicero, these were speeches against Catiline, who was involved in the conspiracy against the Roman Republic.
Cicero’s Treatises on Oratory
Cicero wrote three books on the orator, in which he expounded on the qualities needed to be a good speaker. He states that all speeches should be divided into parts:
- Introduction: The introduction of the theme to be treated, where the speaker tries to gain the sympathy of the public.
- Statement of Facts: The statement of the facts behind the speech.
- Argument: The argument, where the speaker provides arguments to justify his intervention or attacks the opposing side.
- Conclusion: The conclusion, where the speaker summarizes the above and tries to get the judges to agree to their petitions.
Cicero’s Political Treatises
On political themes, the following are noteworthy:
- De Republica: Discusses the best form of government.
- De Legibus: Deals with the practical application of the theories outlined in De Republica.
- De Officiis: On duties.
- De Senectute: On old age.
- De Amicitia: On friendship.