In Verrem I Key Quotes

Example of apostrophe used frequently throughout the speech

Example of apostrophe used frequently throughout the speech

O Judges

The reason in section 1 that Cicero gives for taking on the prosecution of Verres, used to create a sense of crisis

"reversing the unpopularity of your order and the dishonour of your courts”

“rumour is spreading… that in these courts… no wealthy man… can possibly be convicted”

Hyperbole examples from section 1

“this crucial time for the republic”

“not by human counsel, but almost by divine influence”

“not only among the Roman people, but also among foreign nations”

Hyperbole for the senate in section 2

“in this time of crisis for your order and your judgements”

“enable you to restore the lost reputation of your courts”

Hyperbole of the description of Verres and asyndeton in section 2

“the embezzler of public funds, the abuser of Asia and Pamphylia, the thief of the city’s rights, and the shame and ruin of the province of Sicily”

Cicero aligns himself with the Senate immediately

“so that I might relieve it from the dishonour which I share with it”

Cicero’s presentation of himself in sections 3 to 7

“my own diligence”

“the conscientiousness and service of my friends”

“nor have I ever been so afraid, as I am now”

“in just fifty days, I attended to the whole of Sicily”

“so well prepared and equipped”

“constant vigilance”

Verres in sections 3 to 7

“Only once in his life, has he been afraid: the time when he was first put on trial by me as a criminal”

“a remarkable stupidity has been joined to his incredible audacity”

“branded with unpopularity and dishonour”

“he found a man who would require two days less to make inquiries in Achaia”

How Verres will use the stolen wealth in sections 8 to 10

“he now finds it offers great protection”

“he has bought the time of his trial itself”

“in order to buy everything else more easily afterwards”

“he truly believes that he is able to accomplish anything with the current praetor and this bench of judges”

“he would place all his chances of safety in money”

Praeteritio in section 11

“to say nothing of the dishonours and disgraces of his youth”

Verres early career

“Gnaeus Carbo was robbed of public money by his own quaestor”

“the consulship was plundered and betrayed”

“His lieutenancy was the ruin of all Asia and Pamphylia”

Crimes against the Sicilians in section 11

“the Sicilians held neither their own laws, nor the decrees of our senate, nor common rights”

“Each person… has only as much left as either escaped the notice of that most avaricious and lustful man:

“No legal decision was concluded… unless it was in accordance with his will”

“Roman citizens were tortured and killed like slaves”

“criminals were acquitted in court through bribery”

“honest men… were prosecuted while absent”

Praeteritio in section 14

“I am prevented by shame from mentioning the criminal lust of that man, shown by his sexual activities and scandals”

“wives and children untouched by that man’s wanton lust”

Ascending tricolon in section 15

“he depends upon nobody’s influence, authority, or political power”

Cicero reveals why he challenged the judges initially chosen

“he places empty title of nobility before me… names of arrogant men who do not hinder me so much by being noble as they help me by being notorious”

“he made an attempt to bribe this court with large amounts of money”

“he continued to uphold this proposal until the appointment of judges was concluded”

“the proposal to bribe the court was abandoned”

Cicero’s presentation of Hortensius

“the consul elect”

“you have been acquitted by today’s comitia”

“ridiculous” and “shameful”

Cicero’s presentation of himself in section 25

“the Roman people with their generous good will ensured that I would not be deprived of my honour by the money of that man”

Cicero’s presentation of Marcus Metellus

“end up pleading their case before Marcus Metellus as praetor”

“Do you think I would remain silent on matters as important as these?”

“to ensure that there was no way Verres would be harmed”

“I ask you, Metellus, what is perverting the course of justice if not this?”

Polysyndeton in section 33

“written record, witnesses, and the letters and authorities of public and private individuals”

Cicero’s presentation of himself in section 34

“my integrity and self-control, were willing to risk it all on my loyalty and diligence”

Cicero’s presentation of Verres in section 35

“a man already condemned by the judgement of all”

Cicero reveals the corruption in the provinces in section 41

“there are trials of this sort, everyone carries off as much as they need to satisfy themselves, their patrons, advocates, the praetor and the judges”

Cicero’s presentation of the Roman people in section 44

“sought to restore the power of the tribunes with such zeal”

“they were asking for the proper administration of justice”

Section 47

“This is a trial in which you will be judging the defendant, and the Roman people will be judging you”

Anaphora in section 51

“Accept the cause of the law courts. Accept the cause of severity, integrity, loyalty and religion. Accept the cause of the senate…”

The amount that Verres stole according to section 56

“he has stolen 40 million sesterces from Sicily contrary to the laws”

Structure of the trial

“the same opportunity for cross-examination, arguing, and making speeches”

“so that we might resist their malice with out own strategy”

Closing statements

“Verres has done many licentious deeds, many cruel ones against Roman citizens and allies, and many wicked act against gods and men”

“there was still no need for a long oration”