Cicero, Concerning Proconsular Consuls

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

 M. TVLLI CICERONIS DE PROVINCIIS CONSVLARIBUS ORATIO

1 I. [1] Si quis vestrum, patres conscripti, exspectat quas sim provincias decreturus,
[If one of you, my fellow senators, are eager to know which provinces I will be decreed,]

 consideret ipse secum
[he should taken into consideration in his own right]

qui mihi homines ex provinciis potissimum detrahendi sint;
[who might be the men who most of all must be dragged away from the provinces, for my sake;]

non dubitabit quid sentire me conveniat,
[he will not be in doubt why it suits me to feel this way,]

cum, quid mihi sentire necesse sit, cogitarit.
[as soon as he considers why it might be necessary that I feel this way.]

 Ac si princeps eam sententiam dicerem, laudaretis profecto;
[and if I, as a leading citizen, should speak this opinion of my, you would immediately speak praise;]

 si solus, certe ignosceritis;
[if I was alone, you shall've surely been left in the dark;]

etiamsi paulo minus utilis vobis sententia videretur,
[even if it should seem all the less a useful thought to you all,]

 veniam tamen aliquam dolori meo tribueritis.
[still you will've bestowed some degree of forgiveness for this mistake on my part.]

 Nunc vero, Patres conscripti, non parva adficior voluptate,
[Now really, conscripted Senators, I'm inspired by pure desire, a great amount of it,]

vel quod hoc maxime rei publicae conducit Syriam Macedoniamque decerni,
[either because, most of all, it opens up Syria and Macedonia to be determined by the commonwealth,]

ut dolor meus nihil a communi utilitate dissentiat,
[so that my own grief not disagree in any way to with the welfare of our community,]

vel quod habeo auctorem P. Servilium,
[or because I have at my disposal Publius Servilius,]

 qui ante me sententiam dixit,
[who spoke his point of view before me,]

 virum clarissimum
[a most distinguished gentleman]

 et cum in universam rem publicam, tum etiam erga meam salutem fide ac benevolentia singulari.
[and who has shown a singular loyalty and goodwill both to every member of our commonwealth, as well as for the sake of my own safety.]


[2] Quodsi ille, et paulo ante, et quotienscumque ei locus dicendi ac potestas fuit,
[But if the man I speak of, just a while ago, and let me add, the exact same station and power of speaking belongs to him,]

 Gabinium et Pisonem, duo rei publicae portenda ac paene funera,
[and Gabinius and Piso, two men who often portend the death of our commonwealth,]

 cum propter alias causas,
[not only on account of other reasons,]

 tum maxime propter illud insigne scelus eorum et importunam in me crudelitatem,
[but on account of their most notorious wickedness and unseasonable cruelty against me,]

non solum sententia sua,
 sed etiam verborum gravitate esse notandos putavit,
[--he not only thought that they they must be marked down in response to their ideology but to the seriousness of their declarations as well,]

quonam me animo in eos esse oportet,
[why so does it suit me to direct my attention upon these men,]

 cuius illud salutem pro pignore tradiderunt ad explendas suas cupiditates?
[and the safety of whom they betrayed, despite swearing an oath, so that they could gratify their own desires?]

 Sed ego in hac sententia dicenda non parebo dolori meo,
[But, for my sake, I will not be swayed by own grief on this opinion, though it is one that need be spoken,]

 non iracundiae serviam.
[I will not indulge my resentment.]

 Quo animo unus quisque vestrum debet esse in illos, hoc ero;
[And with this same mindset, each and every one of you all ought approaches those men I speak of, and I will do the same;]

praecipuum illum et proprium sensum doloris mei, quem tamen vos communem semper vobis mecum esse duxistis, a sententia dicenda amovebo,
[I will detach from the argument that I must make that utter and personal feeling that is my own grief, the one which you yet all have taken upon, as always, as belonging to yourselves, as well as to me, ]

ad ulciscendi tempora reservabo.
[and I will postpone the time when I must think about revenge.]


II. [3] Quattuor sunt provinciae, Patres conscripti,
[My fellow senators, there are four provinces,]

 de quibus adhuc intellego sententias esse dictas,
[about which I, at this point, understand the following facts need be declared,]

 Galliae duae, quas hoc tempore uno imperio videmus esse coniunctas et Syria et Macedonia,
[the two Gauls, which we, at one time, see were linked under a single administration of government, and Syria, and then Macedonia,]

 quas vobis invitis et oppressis pestiferi illi consules properversae rei publicae praemiis occupaverunt.
[which the ill-bearing consuls I speak of occupied as rewards from an ever-changing commonwealth, even while all of you were unwilling and overwhelmed.]

 Decernandae nobis sunt lege Sempronia duae.
[There are two that need to be examined under the Sempronian law.]

 Quid est quod possimus de Syria Macedonia dubitare?
[Why is it that we manage to remain muddled onSyria and Macedonia?]

Mitto quod eas ita partas habent ii,
[I submit that these men thusly occupy these regions,]

 qui nunc obtinent,
[I mean, the ones now receiving them,]

 ut non ante attingerint,
[but not so that they could attain them beforehand,]

quam hunc ordinem condemnarint,
[as they have damned this here class of men,]

 quam auctoritatem vestram e civitate exterminarint,
[and as they have extinguished your own right to govern, right out of your city,]

 quam fidem publicam, quam perpetuam populi Romani salutem, quam me ac meos omnis foedissime crudelissimeque vexarint.
[and as they have disturbed the faith of the people, as they have the permanent safety of the Roman public, and in the foulest and most heinous ways, myself and all of my supporters.]

Cicero, In Defense of Marcus Marcellus [Pro Marcello]

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

 M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO M. MARCELLO ORATIO


[1] [I] Diuturni silenti, patres conscripti,
[Everyday silence, my fellow Senators,]

 quo eram his temporibus usus—
[which I had enjoyed in times like these--]

non timore aliquo, sed partim dolore, partim verecundia—
[not with any sense of fear, but rather in grief partly, and in a sense of shame partly--]

finem hodiernus dies attulit,
[the arrival of today brought an end,]

 idemque initium quae vellem
[and at the same time, these are the things that I was wanting in the beginning,]

quaeque sentirem meo pristino more dicendi.
[and these were the things I was feeling, by my own long-standing custom of speaking.]

 Tantam enim mansuetudinem, tam inusitatam inauditamque clementiam, tantum in summa potestate rerum omnium modum, tam denique incredibilem sapientiam ac paene divinam,
[You see, so much consideration, so much uncanny and unheard-of mercy, so tremendous a manner of performing deeds at the highest level of power, and most importantly, such incredible and often divinely inspired wisdom]

tacitus praeterire nullo modo possum.
[I, in no way, can neglect to mention in silence.]

[2] M. enim Marcello vobis, patres conscripti, reique publicae reddito, non illius solum, sed etiam meam vocem et auctoritatem et vobis et rei publicae conservatam ac restitutam puto.
[Let me explain, my fellow senators: I am rendering Marcus Marcellus unto you all, and our commonwealth; I not only think that his alone, no, but my own right to speak and authority has been preserved and restored for the sake of you all, and for the Republic.]

Cicero, In Defense of Marcus Scaurus [Pro Scauro]

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)


M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO M. SCAVRO ORATIO



[1] [a] maxime fuit optandum M. Scauro, iudices,
[Judges, Marcus Scaurus once wished most of all,]

 ut nullo suscepto cuiusquam odio sine offensione ac molestia retineret,
[that he could hold back, while avoiding any hatred from anybody and without offense and harassment, ]

 id quod praecipue semper studuit,
 generis, familiae, nominis dignitatem.
[as he ever, most of all, looked after this thing, the dignitaty of his lineage, his family, and his name.]

[c] subiit etiam populi iudicium inquirente Cn. Domitio tribuno plebis.
[He even endured the judgement of the people, when the tribune of the plebs Gnaeus Domitius investigated into him.]

[d] reus est factus a Q. Servilio Caepione lege Servilia,
[He was forced to defend himself against charges from Quintus Servilius Caepio, in violation of the Servilian Law,]

 cum iudicia penes equestrem ordinem essent
[when rights to sit on the jury belonged to the equestrian order]

et P. Rutilio damnato nemo tam innocens videretur
[and when, once Publius Rutilius was condemned, no one seemed so innocent]

 ut non timeret illa.
[that he would have to fear those kinds of things.]

[e] ab eodem etiam lege Varia custos ille rei publicae proditionis est in crimen vocatus;
[and from that point, that man was also accused, by Varius' proposed law, for the crime of treason;]

 vexatus a Q. Vario tribuno plebis est.
[the tribune of the plebs has grown upset from Quintus Varius' actions.]

[f] non enim tantum admiratus sum ego illum virum,
[You see, for my part, I've not only come to admired such a man that I speak of,]

sicut omnes,
[as does everyone,]

sed etiam praecipue dilexi.
[but actually I've come to especially like him.]

Cicero, In Defense of Deiotarus

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

 M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO REGE DEIOTARO AD C. CAESAREM ORATIO


[1] Cum in omnibus causis gravioribus, C. Caesar,
[When, in all the more serious legal suits, Gaius Caesar,]

initio dicendi commoveri soleam vehementius,
[I might be accustomed to become more violently emotional, as I begin to speak,]

 quam videtur vel usus vel aetas mea postulare,
[more than seems proper, or either my habits or age requires,]

tum in hac causa ita me multa perturbant,
[so then, many things so very cause me distress in this case,]

 ut, quantum mea fides studii mihi adferat ad salutem regis Deiotari defendendam,
[that, to the very degree my loyalty to passion inspires me to come the rescue of King Deiotarus' welfare,]

 tantum facultatis timor detrahat.
[the very same fear involving its ease draws me back.]

 Primum dico pro capite fortunisque regis,
[First, I'll speak in defense of the king's life and fortunes,]

 quod ipsum, etsi non iniquum est in tuo dum taxat periculo,
[something which, he himself, although it's not senseless only in your state of danger,]

 tamen est ita inusitatum,
[it is still so very unusual,]

regem reum capitis esse,
[for a man of royal status to become a defendant in a capital charge,]

ut ante hoc tempus non sit auditum;
[as, before this period, it's been unheard of;]

[2] deinde eum regem, quem ornare antea cuncto cum senatu solebam pro perpetuis eius in nostram rem publicam meritis,
[and then, there's this king here, whom I grew accustomed in previous times to give honors, in front of the entire Senate, as a reward for his perpetual good deeds in the service of our Republic,]

 nunc contra atrocissimum crimen cogor defendere.
[but now I forced to defend him against the most horrible charge.]

 Accedit ut accusatorum alterius crudelitate,
alterius indignitate conturber:
[It turns out that I am completely put in distress by one of the accusing party's cruelty, and another of their party's misbehavior.]


 crudelem Castorem, ne dicam sceleratum et impium,
[a type of cruel Castor, lest I call him wicked and impious,]

 qui nepos avum in capitis discrimen adduxerit
[a grandson who led his grandfather to the cusp of capital punishment]

adulescentiaeque suae terrorem intulerit ei,
[and instill the terrible state of his adulescence upon him,]

cuius senectutem tueri et tegere debebat,
[whose old age he ought to safeguard and protect,]

 commendationemque ineuntis aetatis ab impietate et scelere duxerit;
[and should have taken the support of his upcoming period in his life from impiety and ill deed;]

Cicero, In Defense of Caecina

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO A. CAECINA ORATIO


[1] Si, quantum in agro locisque desertis audacia potest,
[If, as much as boldness can do in the field, and deserted places,]

 tantum in foro atque in iudiciis impudentia valeret,
[as imprudence should prevail in the market, and in the courts,]

non minus nunc in causa cederet A. Caecina Sex. Aebuti impudentiae,
[no less, now, should Aelius Caecina feel ill to the imprudence of Sextus Aebutius,]

quam tum in vi facienda cessit audaciae.
[which, at that time, the power of boldness yielded to brute violence.]

 Verum et illud considerati hominis esse putavit,
[And however, he though that particular condition of the man ought to be considered,]

qua de re iure disceptari oporteret,
[by which matter it would have to be achieved,]

 armis non contendere,
[not by contending in battle,]

 et hoc constantis, quicum vi et armis certare noluisset, eum iure iudicioque superare.
[and by prevailing, in the court of law, over this matter consistently, for which he had beforehand not wanted to fight over through the force of arms.]

[2] Ac mihi quidem cum audax praecipue fuisse videtur Aebutius in convocandis hominibus et armandis,
[And really, in my opinion, does Aebutius seem to been especially bold in his gathering people up and arming them,]

 tum impudens in iudicio,
[at that time, rash in his judgment,]

 non solum quod in iudicium venire ausus est
[not only because he dares to come to court,]

—nam id quidem tametsi improbe fit in aperta re, tamen malitia est iam usitatum
[on that, this practice really happens quite wrongfully, in the open, although it's already been used with malice, and frequently,]

—sed quod non dubitavit id ipsum quod arguitur confiteri;
[but also that he did not doubt the act itself would have to be admitted to;]

Cicero, On Prophecy (De Divinatione)

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

 MARCI TVLLI CICERONIS DE DIVINATIONE LIBER PRIOR

I 1 Vetus opinio est iam usque ab heroicis ducta temporibus,
[There is an old opinion, already taken now from the times of legendary heroes,]


eaque et populi Romani et omnium gentium firmata consensu,
[and one that has been approved by the consensus of both the Roman people, and the entire world,]

versari quandam inter homines divinationem, quam Graeci mantikh/n appellant,
[that a certain practice of communicating with the gods needs be conducted, one which the Greeks call μαντικειν]

id est praesensionem et scientiam rerum futurarum.
[to be more specific, the divining and knowledge of future events.]

Magnifica quaedam res et salutaris, si modo est ulla,
[A magnificent and beneficial thing it would be, if there is any way now,]

 quaque proxime ad deorum vim natura mortalis possit accedere.
[by which nature a mortal man can possible manage to approached, in any degree, the power of the gods.]

 Itaque ut alia nos melius multa quam Graeci, sic huic praestantissimae rei nomen nostri a divis, Graeci, ut Plato interpretatur, a furore duxerunt.
[And so, the Greeks, who know many things much better than ourselves, the Greeks, as Plato is interpreted to have said, took the name that we most readily assign to this kind of affair by the gods, from their word for "fury".]


 2 Gentem quidem nullam video
neque tam humanam atque doctam neque tam immanem tamque barbaram,
[I can find no race of people, neither so humane and wise, or so uncivilized and barbaric,]

 quae non significari futura et a quibusdam intellegi praedicique posse censeat.
[that they do not conclude that the future has no sense and cannot be understood or predicted by specific practices.]

 Principio Assyrii, ut ab ultimis auctoritatem repetam, propter planitiam magnitudinemque regionum quas incolebant,
[In the beginning, the Assyrians, as I shall reiterate their importance in my very last words, used to worship, account of the wideness and sizes of their domain,]

cum caelum ex omni parte patens atque apertum intuerentur, traiectiones motusque stellarum observitaverunt,
[they frequently gave significance to the paths and motions of the stars, since they could watch an open and clear sky from end to end,]

quibus notati, quid cuique significaretur memoriae prodiderunt.
[from which things they could know why or to whom something pertained, and record it for memory's sake.]

Cicero, In Defense of Pompey's Military Command

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

 DE IMPERIO CN. POMPEI AD QVIRITES ORATIO

[1] Quamquam mihi semper frequens conspectus vester multo iucundissimus, hic autem locus ad agendum amplissimus, ad dicendum ornatissimus est visus, Quirites,
[Although, for my part, your frequent witnessing is always most enjoyable, and any event, this place is as full as can be for acting, it is also most designed, my fellow Romans, for some one needing to speak,]

tamen hoc aditu laudis,
[even still, through this opportunity for praise,]

 qui semper optimo cuique maxime patuit,
[which always opened first and foremost to anyone who excelled above the rest,]

non mea me voluntas adhuc, sed vitae meae rationes ab ineunte aetate susceptae prohibuerunt.
[not solely does my desire prevent me from mentioning the first part of my own life, but my own conclusions I've reached.]

 Nam cum antea per aetatem nondum huius auctoritatem loci attingere auderem,
[you see, when beforehand I would not yet dare to step foot upon the authority of a place like this, on account of my age,]

statueremque nihil huc nisi perfectum ingenio,
[and I would achieve nothing here except practice to my technique,]

 elaboratum industria adferri oportere, omne meum tempus amicorum temporibus transmittendum putavi.
[I thought that my own period of time, needing to be carried forth only after it was work laboriously upon with industry, would sooner or later be passed down to the generations of my associates.]



[2] Ita neque hic locus vacuus umquam fuit ab eis
[and so there was never any open space from these men]

 qui vestram causam defenderent,
[who would defend your cause]

 et meus labor, in privatorum periculis caste integreque versatus, ex vestro iudicio fructum est amplissimum consecutus.
[and my efforts, which dutifully and purely involve the dangers of private citizens, gained the fullest possible reward from your decision.]

 Nam cum propter dilationem comitiorum ter praetor primus centuriis cunctis renuntiatus sum,
[you see, since I, on account of the assemblies being decommissioned, was thrice elected praetor, and first by the entirety of the centuries.]

facile intellexi, Quirites, et quid de me iudicaretis,
[I easily came to understand, my fellow Romans, why you would come your conclusion about me]

et quid aliis praescriberetis.
[and why exactly you preferred me over the others.]

 Nunc cum et auctoritatis in me tantum sit,
[now since there exists as much ability to rule at my disposal,]

quantum vos honoribus mandandis esse voluistis,
[as you, for you part, have decided to confer upon me in my offices,]

 et ad agendum facultatis tantum,
[and as much ability to perform one's actions,]

 quantum homini vigilanti ex forensi usu prope cotidiana dicendi exercitatio potuit adferre,
[as could the daily execution of man tasked to speek could assign to a fellow who diligently watches out from the practice of his legal business]

certe et si quid auctoritatis in me est,
[and if there truly is any modicum of authority at my disposal]

 apud eos utar qui eam mihi dederunt,
[let me use it in the presence of the men who granted it to me]

 et si quid in dicendo consequi possum,
[and if I can accomplish anything in what I able to say,]

 eis ostendam potissimum, qui ei quoque rei fructum suo iudicio tribuendum esse duxerunt.
[most especially of all let me make my presentation to men who have come to believe that a benefit can be given to distributed to the this matter through their conclusion]
--

[3] Atque illud in primis mihi laetandum iure esse video,
[So too do I see that thing that must first make me rejoice, according to the law]

quod in hac insolita mihi ex hoc loco ratione dicendi causa talis oblata est,
[because such a case I have taken up, in this unusual fashion of speaking from this venue,]

 in qua oratio deesse nemini possit.
[in which a speech cannot evade anyone.]

Dicendum est enim de Cn. Pompei singulari eximiaque virtute:
[you see, one must speak about the unique and incredible qualifications of Gnaeus Pompey:]

 huius autem orationis difficilius est exitum quam principium invenire.
[in any event, it is more difficult to find an end than a beginning of a speech like this.]

Ita mihi non tam copia quam modus in dicendo quaerendus est.
[And so, I must search not so great a deal of words, than a style of speaking.]

[4] Atque,—ut inde oratio mea proficiscatur, unde haec omnis causa ducitur,—
[So that, that from this point, my speech might begin from the point from which this whole cause is led;]

bellum grave et periculosum vestris vectigalibus ac sociis a duobus potentissimis regibus infertur, Mithridate et Tigrane,
[War, grave and dangerous to your territory, and allies, is being waged by two of the most powerful monarchs, Mithridates and Tigranes,]


quorum alter relictus, alter lacessitus, occasionem sibi ad occupandam Asiam oblatam esse arbitrantur.
[one of whom has been left behind, the other on the attack, think that they have the opportunity to take over and occupy Asia.]

Equitibus Romanis, honestissimis viris, adferuntur ex Asia cotidie litterae,
[It is being reported from Roman knights, the men of greatest sincerity, from daily letters from Asia,]

quorum magnae res aguntur in vestris vectigalibus exercendis occupatae:
[whose large and great property on your plots of land, waiting to be tilled,  is now being taken over]

 qui ad me, pro necessitudine quae mihi est cum illo ordine, causam rei publicae periculaque rerum suarum detulerunt:
[men who reported the situation of our commonwealth and the dangers of their own affairs, out of a necessity that affects me, alongside that aforesaid order of people.]


[5] Bithyniae, quae nunc vestra provincia est, vicos exustos esse compluris;
[Bithynia, which is now one of your provinces, is now filled completely with burnt-out cities]

 regnum Ariobarzanis, quod finitimum est vestris vectigalibus, totum esse in hostium potestate;
[the kingdom of Ariobarzanes, which is nearest to your own territory, is now completely in the power of the enemy;]

 L. Lucullum, magnis rebus gestis, ab eo bello discedere;
[Lucius Lucullus, even after his amazing military fears, is withdrawing from this theater of battle;]

huic qui successerit non satis esse paratum ad tantum bellum administrandum;
[to this man who followed, the affairs is not planned to any extent for such a difficult war that must be overseen;]

 unum ab omnibus sociis et civibus ad id bellum imperatorem deposci atque expeti, eundem hunc unum ab hostibus metui, praeterea neminem.
[he alone, among all our allies and citizens, has been requested for this war, and sought out, it is he alone <Pompey> that is feared by our foes, more than anyone else.]

[6] Causa quae sit videtis:
[You see what the reason why:]

 nunc quid agendum sit considerate.
[now consider what you must do.]

Primum mihi videtur de genere belli,
[My first reason centers on the type of war]

 deinde de magnitudine,
[my second on its magnitude]

 tum de imperatore deligendo esse dicendum.
[then, we must talk about the commander that needs to be chosen.]

 Genus est belli eius modi,
[The type of war at hand is such that]

 quod maxime vestros animos excitare atque inflammare ad persequendi studium debeat:
[it ought to disturb your minds and inflame your hearts to carry it out]

 in quo agitur populi Romani gloria,
[one in which the glory of the Roman people is involved]

 quae vobis a maioribus cum magna in omnibus rebus tum summa in re militari tradita est;
[the glory that has been passed down from our forefathers to you all, one as great in all its facets as it is supreme in warfare]

 agitur salus sociorum atque amicorum,
[The safetry of our allies, and our friends is involved]

pro qua multa maiores vestri magna et gravia bella gesserunt;
[for which your own forefathers waged many famous and trying wars']
 

Cicero, Prosecution of Verres (In Verrem I)

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

 IN C. VERREM ORATIO
ACTIO PRIMA

[1] Quod erat optandum maxime, iudices,
[Hail jurors, whatever must be wished for most of all,]

 et quod unum ad invidiam vestri ordinis infamiamque iudiciorum sedandam maxime pertinebat,
[and whatever solely pertains to the envy aimed at your social class, and most of all the ill rumor that need be made quiet about our judges.]

id non humano consilio,
sed prope divinitus datum atque oblatum vobis summo rei publicae tempore videtur.
[this not only seems, in the greatest time of our republic, to have been granted to you by the intent of men, but also upheld for you something almost divine.]

 Inveteravit enim iam opinio perniciosa rei publicae, vobisque periculosa,
[you see, already has an opinion grown through time, one that is harmful to the republic, and dangerous for you all,]

 quae non modo apud populum Romanum, sed etiam apud exteras nationes, omnium sermone percrebruit:
[which has thoroughly spread not only in the presence of the Roman people, but even in nations abroad, every language.]

 his iudiciis quae nunc sunt, pecuniosum hominem,
quamvis sit nocens, neminem posse damnari.
[these are things that apply to the judges here, that is whether anybody, a man who embezzles, can be condemned to punishment, no matter who harmful he may be.]

Nunc, in ipso discrimine ordinis iudiciorumque vestrorum, cum sint parati qui contionibus et legibus hanc invidiam senatus inflammare conentur,
[Now, in the very distinction of your social class, of your judges, since they are prepared, let them dare to the set this envy now of the Senate aflame with their assemblies and laws.]

 [reus] in iudicium adductus est [C. Verres],
[Gaius Verres has been brought here to court as the defendant,]

homo vita atque factis omnium iam opinione damnatus,
[he is man whose life and deeds have already been condemned in the minds of all people,]

pecuniae magnitudine sua spe et praedicatione absolutus.
[now he greatly hopes, and predicts, to be acquitted of charges of corruption.]

 Huic ego causae, iudices, cum summa voluntate et expectatione populi Romani, actor accessi,
[For my part, jurors, with the greatest desire and anticipation of the Roman people, I have come forth as the prosecutor for this case,]

non ut augerem invidiam ordinis, sed ut infamiae communi succurrerem.
[not so that I could cause more hatred for your social milieu, but so that I could decrease the ill rumor coming from the common folk.]

Adduxi enim hominem in quo reconciliare existimationem iudiciorum amissam,
[you see, I set my aims upon this man for you to repair the damaged reputation of judges,]

redire in gratiam cum populo Romano,
[and to return it into the good graces of the Roman people,[

 satis facere exteris nationibus, possetis;
[and do as much for foreign nations, as much as you can;]

 depeculatorem aerari, vexatorem Asiae atque Pamphyliae, praedonem iuris urbani, labem atque perniciem provinciae Siciliae.
[because he is an embezzler of public funds, a scoundrel in Asia and Pamphylia, a highway robber of our city's law, and the deadly scourge of the province of Sicily.]

 De quo si vos vere ac religiose iudicaveritis, auctoritas ea, quae in vobis remanere debet, haerebit;
[on this account, if, for you part, you wish to truthfully and faithfully judge the matter, this kind of authority, which ought to remain at your disposal, will cling;]

sin istius ingentes divitiae iudiciorum religionem veritatemque perfregerint,
[but if an enormous wealth of the man I just mention has completely shattered the faithfulness and truthfulness of your judges,]

 ego hoc tam adsequar,
[for my part shall I so pursue this goal,]

ut iudicium potius rei publicae, quam aut reus iudicibus, aut accusator reo, defuisse videatur.
[to show that the judicial courts has done more harm to the republic than a defendant to the judges, or prosecutor to a defendant.]



[2] Equidem, ut de me confitear, iudices,
[Indeed, as I must confess about myself, judges,]

cum multae mihi a C. Verre insidiae terra marique factae sint,
[since a great deal of ill deeds have been committed by Gaius Verres, on land and sea,]

quas partim mea diligentia devitarim,
[those, in part, I completely avoided, thanks to my sense of duty,]

 partim amicorum studio officioque repulerim;
[and partly, I fought against them by through the eagerness and duty of my colleagues;]

numquam tamen neque tantum periculum mihi adire visus sum,
[in any event, I neither think that so great a danger has reached me,]

 neque tanto opere pertimui,
[nor I have a grown so greatly afraid,]

ut nunc in ipso iudicio.
[as now in this very court.]

Neque tantum me exspectatio accusationis meae, concursusque
tantae multitudinis (quibus ego rebus vehementissime perturbor) commovet,
[And as much anticipation of my accusation disturbs me, and the gathering of such a large group of people, whose affairs I, for my part, am most violently shocked,]

 quantum istius insidiae nefariae, quas uno tempore mihi, vobis, M'. Glabrioni, populo Romano, sociis, exteris nationibus, ordini, nomini denique senatorio, facere conatur:
[such are the treacherous schemes of that same man, who now tries to do these, all at the same time, against myself, and you all, against Marcus Glabrio, the Roman people, our allies, against foreign nations, and most all, against the order and dignity of the Senate.]

 qui ita dictitat, eis esse metuendum,
[and so, the person who so often says that these men must be afraid,]

qui quod ipsis solis satis esset surripuissent;
[are they men who had previously pilfered the very thing that quite completely belonged to them alone.]

 se tantum eripuisse, ut id multis satis esse possit;
[so much did he snatch away that it could be enough for many people;]

 nihil esse tam sanctum quod non violari,
[There is nothing so sacred that he could not profane,]

nihil tam munitum quod non expugnari pecunia possit.
[there is nothing so fortified that he could not outlast with his money.]

Quod si quam audax est ad conandum,
[But if he is so bold in his attempts,]

tam esset obscurus in agendo,
[as he sneaky in his actions,]

fortasse aliqua in re nos aliquando fefellisset.
[perhaps, at some point in time, he had even before deceived us in some matter or another.]

 Verum hoc adhuc percommode cadit,
[But indeed, this affair quite comfortably turns out,]

quod cum incredibili eius audacia singularis stultitia coniuncta est.
[because his unmatched dumbassed-ness has been joined now to his unbelievable brashness.]

 Nam, ut apertus in corripiendis pecuniis fuit,
[You see, as he was blatant in his financial corruption,]

 sic in spe corrumpendi iudici, perspicua sua consilia conatusque omnibus fecit.
[likewise did he, in the hope of corrupting the judge, make his designs and attempts obvious to all.] 


 Semel, ait, se in vita pertimuisse,
[And once, says he, he had grown completely fearful in the course of his life]

 tum cum primum a me reus factus sit;
[then as soon as possible diid I make him out to be the culprit;]

quod, cum e provincia recens esset,
[something which, since he freshly left from his province]

invidiaque et infamia non recenti,
[still his ill will and infamy were not matters of newness]

 sed vetere ac diuturna flagraret,
[instead he has caused harm through long and daily habit,]

 tum, ad iudicium corrumpendum, tempus alienum offenderet.
[and then after he tried to corrupt the judge, he tried to find himself time that did not belong to him.] 



Itaque, cum ego diem in Siciliam inquirendi perexiguam postulavissem,
[And so, when, for my part, I had previously demand for any available court day to investigate the affairs of Sicily,]

 invenit iste,
[here this man comes,]

 qui sibi in Achaiam biduo breviorem diem postularet,
[a man who was demanding for a sooner date for himself, for a two-day trip to Greece,]

 — non ut is idem conficeret diligentia et industria sua
[not so that he could likewise take care of his business by his own sense of diligence and industry,]

 quod ego meo labore et vigiliis consecutus sum,
[but because I myself pursued him, out of my own effort and watchfulness,]

 etenim ille Achaicus inquisitor ne Brundisium quidem pervenit;
[and really so that that ill-reputed Greek investigator <wink> not in fact reach Brindisi;]

 ego Siciliam totam quinquaginta diebus sic obii,
[As pertains to me, I thusly toured the entirety of Sicily for forty days,]

 ut omnium populorum privatorumque literas iniuriasque cognoscerem;
[which allowed me to understand the letters and claims of injury of all the private and public figures there;]

ut perspicuum cuivis esse posset,
[and so that it could be apparent to anyone]

 hominem ab isto quaesitum esse,
[that this man is being investigated by such a set of events,]

 non qui reum suum adduceret,
[and not that he was not only trying to avoid being a defendent in court,]

 sed qui meum tempus obsideret.
[but that it was he who was trying to use up my own time.]

[3] Nunc homo audacissimus atque amentissimus hoc cogitat.
[Nunc the boldestman , and most mindless too, thinks he can do this.]

Intellegit me ita paratum atque instructum in iudicium venire,
[He nows that I am thusly prepared, and have intended to come to court,]

 ut non modo in auribus vestris, sed in oculis omnium, sua furta atque flagitia defixurus sim.
[and so I shall sooner or later be tied down by his robberies and his attacks, not only for your ears to hear, but in the sight of all.] 



Itaque, cum ego diem in Siciliam inquirendi perexiguam postulavissem,
[And so, when, for my part, I had previously demand for any available court day to investigate the affairs of Sicily,]

 invenit iste,
[here this man comes,]

 qui sibi in Achaiam biduo breviorem diem postularet,
[a man who was demanding for a sooner date for himself, for a two-day trip to Greece,]

 — non ut is idem conficeret diligentia et industria sua
[not so that he could likewise take care of his business by his own sense of diligence and industry,]

 quod ego meo labore et vigiliis consecutus sum,
[but because I myself pursued him, out of my own effort and watchfulness,]

 etenim ille Achaicus inquisitor ne Brundisium quidem pervenit;
[and really so that that ill-reputed Greek investigator <wink> not in fact reach Brindisi;]

 ego Siciliam totam quinquaginta diebus sic obii,
[As pertains to me, I thusly toured the entirety of Sicily for forty days,]

 ut omnium populorum privatorumque literas iniuriasque cognoscerem;
[which allowed me to understand the letters and claims of injury of all the private and public figures there;]

ut perspicuum cuivis esse posset,
[and so that it could be apparent to anyone]

 hominem ab isto quaesitum esse,
[that this man is being investigated by such a set of events,]

 non qui reum suum adduceret,
[and not that he was not only trying to avoid being a defendent in court,]

 sed qui meum tempus obsideret.
[but that it was he who was trying to use up my own time.]

[3] Nunc homo audacissimus atque amentissimus hoc cogitat.
[Nunc the boldestman , and most mindless too, thinks he can do this.]

Intellegit me ita paratum atque instructum in iudicium venire,
[He nows that I am thusly prepared, and have intended to come to court,]

 ut non modo in auribus vestris, sed in oculis omnium, sua furta atque flagitia defixurus sim.
[and so I shall sooner or later be tied down by his robberies and his attacks, not only for your ears to hear, but in the sight of all.]

Cicero, On the Agrarian Law (De Lege Agraria)

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC Rome *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

     [1] * * * quae res aperte petebatur, ea nunc occulte cuniculis oppugnatur.

[This matter was once sought out in the open: now it is secretly being fought underground.]

Dicent enim xviri, id quod et dicitur a multis et saepe dictum est, post eosdem consules regis Alexandri testamento regnum illud populi Romani esse factum.

[You see, the Decemviri will say, and this is something which is both said by many and said often, that the well-known kingdom of King Alexander was established by the will of the Roman people.]

 Dabitis igitur Alexandream clam petentibus eis quibus apertissime pugnantibus restitistis?

[So will you secretly grant Alexandria to men seeking to rebel these most obvious rebels, whom you have resisted before?]

Haec, per deos immortalis!

[This is exactly the case, by the immortal gods!]

utrum esse vobis consilia siccorum an vinolentorum somnia, et utrum cogitata sapientium an optata furiosorum videntur?

[Which is it? Do you think these are the proposals of sober men, or the fairy tales of drunkards? Are they the thoughts of wise fellows or the wishes of insane people?]


 [2] Videte nunc proximo capite
[See to it that you now, in your upcoming evaluation,]

 ut impurus helluo turbet rem publicam,
[that a perverted glutton bring the Republic to a panic,]

 ut a maioribus nostris possessiones relictas disperdat ac dissipet,
[so that he distribute and waste the remainders of our possessions from our forefathers,]

 ut sit non minus in populi Romani patrimonio nepos quam in suo.
[so that a grandson might be no less valuable in the inheritance of the Roman people than in his own.]

Perscribit in sua lege vectigalia quae xviri vendant, hoc est, proscribit auctionem publicorum bonorum.
[Via the law, he advocates in his law for his own plots of lands, ones that the Decemviri, that is, he officially advocates for the sale of public property.]

Agros emi volt qui dividantur;
[He wishes to buy land that are being divided up;]

 quaerit pecuniam.
[He desires money.]

Videlicet excogitabit aliquid atque adferet.
[Obviously, he will come up with some plan and bring it to fruition.]

 Nam superioribus capitibus dignitas populi Romani violabatur,
[You see, the dignity of the Roman people was violated by better evaluations,]

nomen imperi in commune odium orbis terrae vocabatur,
[The name of 'empire' used to be evoked against the common hatred of the world,]

 urbes pacatae, agri sociorum, regum status xviris donabantur;
[pacified cities, the lands of our allies, and the states of kings used to be donated by the Decemviri;] 

nunc praesens pecunia, certa, numerata quaeritur.
[Now money at hand, a fixed and counted amount is being requested.]

[3] Exspecto quid tribunus plebis vigilans et acutus excogitet.
[I await the answer as to why the tribune of the plebs thinks so, so watchfully and sharp-minded.]

 'Veneat,' inquit, 'silva Scantia.'
[He says, "Let the Scantian wood come.']

 Vtrum tandem hanc silvam in relictis possessionibus, an in censorum pascuis invenisti?
[What is it: that you finally found this forest to be in the remainder of our possessions, or that meadow lands of our censors?] 

Si quid est quod indagaris,
[And if something exists that you've shall investigated,]

inveneris,
[that you've shall discovered,]

 ex tenebris erueris,
[that you've shall revealed from the shadows,]

 quamquam iniquum est,
[albeit that it is base]

 tamen consume sane, quod commodum est,
[still take upon yourself in assurance whatever brings comfort,]

quoniam quidem tu attulisti;
[since indeed it is you who carried it off;]

Cicero, Against Caecilius

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

M. TVLLI CICERONIS DIVINATIO IN CAECILIUM ORATIO

[MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO'S SPEECH, AGAINST CAECILIUS]

[I] [1] si quis vestrum, iudices, aut eorum qui adsunt, forte miratur me, qui tot annos in causis iudiciisque publicis ita sim versatus ut defenderim multos, laeserim neminem, subito nunc mutata voluntate ad accusandum descendere, is, si mei consili causam rationemque cognoverit, una et id quod facio probabit, et in hac causa profecto neminem praeponendum mihi esse actorem putabit.

[If any one of you jurors, or of these fellows who are present, perhaps be surprised that I, who have worked so many years in public cases and judicial matters, to the point that I have defended many men, and have not do any man harm--that I now suddenly show up, with my intentions changed, for purpose of lobbing accusations, then this fellow , if he knows the cause and reason of my intention, will too approve what I am doing, at my side, and he will think that think that, in this case in particular, no one should be placed as a legitimate litigant before myself.]

 [2] Cum quaestor in Sicilia fuissem, iudices, itaque ex ea provincia decessissem

[O judges, when I was quaestor in Sicily, I departed from this province in such an esteem]

ut Siculis omnibus iucundam diuturnamque memoriam quaesturae nominisque mei relinquerem,

[that I left a pleasant and daily reminded of my public office and my reputation for all the Sicilian inhabitants,]

 factum est uti cum summum in veteribus patronis multis, tum non nullum etiam in me praesidium suis fortunis constitutum esse arbitrarentur.

[just as it always turned out with many of their older patrons, they then felt obligated to established a garrison for my sake from their own resources.]

quare nunc populati atque vexati cuncti ad me publice saepe venerunt, ut suarum fortunarum omnium causam defensionemque susciperem.

[And that's why they have come to me in public, now devastated and exasperated, with the hope that I could take up the cause and defense of all their fortunes.]

 me saepe esse pollicitum, saepe ostendisse dicebant, si quod tempus accidisset, quo tempore aliquid a me requirerent, commodis eorum me non defuturum.

[They say that as often as I made a promise, I delivered, if the occasion offered itself, and anytime they requested a favor from me, I would never fail to accommodate them.]

Cicero, In Defense of Sextus Roscius Amerinus

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)


M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO SEX. ROSCIO AMERINO ORATIO


[1] Credo ego vos, iudices, mirari, quid sit, quod, cum tot summi oratores hominesque nobilissimi sedeant, ego potissimum surrexerim, is, qui neque aetate neque ingenio neque auctoritate sim cum his, qui sedeant, comparandus.
1 [Hail jurors, I believe that you all will ask yourselves why, when so many of the very best speaks and noblest men you can find are present seated hear, it is I in particular who have risen to speak: I, being a man who is no one comparable alongside these men who sit here in respect to age, talent, or authority.]


Omnes hi, quos videtis adesse in hac causa, iniuriam novo scelere conflatam putant oportere defendi, defendere ipsi propter iniquitatem temporum non audent.
2 [All of these men, whom you see present at this trial, think that mistreated that has been compouned by another wicked deed ought to warded off: yet  they do not dare to ward them off themselves, thanks to the general unfairness of our generation.]


Ita fit, ut adsint propterea, quod officium sequuntur, taceant autem idcirco, quia periculum vitant.
3 [So let it happen that, but they will fulfill their civic duty should they be present afterward, but still, they hold their tongue now in order to avoid risk to themselves.]


Quid ergo? Audacissimus ego ex omnibus? Minime.
4 [But why? Is because I am the boldest man you can find among all these? Certainly not.]


An tanto officiosior quam ceteri?
5 [Or perhaps I am so much more dutiful than the rest?]

  An tanto officiosior quam ceteri?

[Or is there a so more dutiful man than the others?]

 Ne istius quidem laudis ita sum cupidus, ut aliis eam praereptam velim.

[So, really, I'm not that desirous of that kind of praise that would make me want to deny it from others.]

 Quae me igitur res praeter ceteros impulit, ut causam Sex. Rosci reciperem?

[Therefore, so what is the matter that pushes me out in front of the rest and made me accept Sextus Roscius' case?]

 Quia, si qui istorum dixisset,
[Since, if anyone of these men had spoken,]

 quos videtis adesse,
[that is, the men who see present now]

 in quibus summa auctoritas est atque amplitudo,
[in whose present exists the greatest authority and magnitude of power possible]

si verbum de re publica fecisset,
[if he had said a single word about our commonwealth]

 id, quod in hac causa fieri necesse est,
[this thing, which need come into existence in this lawsuit]

multo plura dixisse, quam dixisset, putaretur.
[is very much thought to have been declared, than he had declared himself.]


[3] Ego autem si omnia, quae dicenda sunt, libere dixero,
[Nevertheless, if I , for my part, will freely have said all the things that need be said]

nequaquam tamen similiter oratio mea exire atque in volgus emanare poterit.
[in any event, will my speech have been capable to no avail to leave out in similar fashion and spread out to the public]

 Deinde quod ceterorum neque dictum obscurum potest esse
[And next, whatever of the other fellows cannot be an obscure statement]

propter nobilitatem et amplitudinem
[on account of its noble nature and grandeur]

 neque temere dicto concedi propter aetatem et prudentiam.
[nor did I brashly yield to the statement, on account of my mature age and prudence.]


 Quia, si qui istorum dixisset,
[Since, if he, out of men like these, had spoken,]

quos videtis adesse,
[that is, the ones you see present as of now,]

 in quibus summa auctoritas est atque amplitudo,
[among whom belongs the highest authority and social status,]

si verbum de re publica fecisset,
[if he had uttered a sound concerning our commonwealth,]

 id, quod in hac causa fieri necesse est, multo plura dixisse, quam dixisset, putaretur.
[he should be thought, by far, to have spoken much more than he had actually said, and this must necessarily to happen in this case.]


[3] Ego autem si omnia, quae dicenda sunt, libere dixero,
[But still, in my opinion, if I should freely say all the things that must be said,]

 nequaquam tamen similiter oratio mea exire atque in volgus emanare poterit.
[nevertheless, and to no avail, my speech shall've exited my mouth in the same fashion, and be published out to the public.]

 Deinde quod ceterorum neque dictum obscurum potest esse propter nobilitatem et amplitudinem
[And then neither can the speech of these others be made unclear by their nobility, and their loftiness,]

 neque temere dicto concedi propter aetatem et prudentiam.
[and I did not rashly concede to speak, on account of maturity and good judgment.]

Cicero, In Defense of Publius Quinctius

M. TVLLI CICERONIS PRO P. QVINCTIO ORATIO

Marcus Tullius Cicero [Cicero or Tully]
106-43 BC *executed by 2nd Triumvirate (specifically Mark Antony)
Trans RMBullard
Latin (Republican Era/Golden Age of Latin Literature)

I. Quae res in civitate duae plurimum possunt, eae contra nos ambae faciunt in hoc tempore, summa gratia et eloquentia; quarum alterum, C. Aquili, vereor, alteram metuo.
[The two things that can most empower a person in our city, the highest reputation and eloquence, are both things that act against our purpose at this period of time; I'm ashamed of the first, Gaius Aquilius, and I fear the second.]

Eloquentia Q. Hortensi ne me in dicendo impediat, non nihil commoveor, gratia Sex. Naevi ne P. Quinctio noceat, id vero non mediocriter pertimesco.

[Don't let Quintus Hortensius' eloquence stop me from speaking: I'm not moved a single bit. Don't let Sextus Naevius' good standing damage Publius Quinctius' case: I truly shudder at it, and in no small way.]
*Hortensius and Naevius are the opposing lawyers to Cicero
* Quinctius is Cicero's client on trial

Neque hoc tanto opere querendum videretur, haec summa in illis esse, si in nobis essent saltem mediocria;

[And one should not think it something to be so sought after, that these are the best qualities in these men I talk about, if they should be only moderate in ourselves by comparison.]

verum ita se res habet, ut ego, qui neque usu satis et ingenio parum possum, cum patrono disertissimo comparer, P. Quinctius, cui tenues opes, nullae facultates, exiguae amicorum copiae sunt, cum adversario gratiosissimo contendat.

[No, it actually appears that I, someone who has not had enough practice nor am so endowed with talent, still could be matched against the most well-spoken advocate, and so Publius Quinctius, who has scant money, no real abilities whatsoever, and the smallest amount of friends, can still contend with the most well-reputed opponent.]