Cicero Lines 25-35 - Analysis

◇ = Analysis of Latin || ✪ = Context

That man came forth²⁷ suddenly from the praetor’s headquarters, inflamed with wickedness, madness and cruelty;

◇27: procedit: historic present tense, used to make the scene more vivid.

Who since they feared²⁸ nothing and suspected nothing, ran up immediately.

◇28: qui … metuerent: a causal subjunctive, expressing the reason why they came running.

That man²⁹ came forth suddenly from the praetor’s headquarters, inflamed with wickedness, madness and cruelty; he came into the forum and he ordered the ships’ captains to be called. Who since they feared28 nothing [and] suspected nothing, ran up immediately. That man²⁹ ordered chains to be cast upon the wretched, innocent men.

✪29: iste: Verres

They implored³⁰ the protection of the praetor and asked³⁰ why he was doing that.

◇30: implorare … rogare: historic infinitives

Then that man said this was the reason, it was because [30] they had betrayed³¹ the fleet to the pirates³¹.

◇31: praedonibus prodidissent: intentional alliteration of p and d, which, with the subjunctive, emphasises Cicero’s disgust at the false accusation.

or, since he himself³² was considered to be an ally of the pirates³², that he should bring an accusation of betrayal against others;

◇✪32: ipse praedonum: Cicero cleverly juxtaposes these words to emphasise the suspicion that Verres was in league with the pirates, because he was suspected to have received a bribe from the pirates to release the pirate chief when he was captured.

furthermore, that this charge had originated on the fifteenth day³³ [35] after the fleet had been lost.

✪33: quinto decimo die: Verres could not afford to wait before charging the captains, in order to avoid blame falling on himself or his associate in crime, Cleomenes.