2.
[5]
On these accounts I have stood forward as the advocate in this cause, not as being the
one selected who could plead with the greatest ability, but as the one left of the whole
body who could do so with the least danger; and not in order that Sextus Roscius might
he defended by a sufficiently able advocacy, but that he might not be wholly abandoned.
Perhaps you may ask, What is that dread, and what is that alarm which hinders so many,
and such eminent men, from being willing, as they usually are, to plead on behalf of the
life and fortunes of another? And it is not strange that you are as yet ignorant of
this, because all mention of the matter which has given rise to this trial has been
designedly omitted by the accusers.
[6]
What is that
matter? The property of the father of this Sextus Roscius, which is six millions of
sesterces, which one of the most powerful young men of
our city at this present time, Lucius Cornelius Chrysogonus, says he bought of that most
gallant and most illustrious man Lucius Sulla, whom I only name to do him honour, for
two thousand sesterces. He, O judges, demands of you that,
since he, without any right, has taken possession of the property of another, so
abundant and so splendid, and as the life of Sextus Roscius appears to him to stand in
the way of and to hinder his possession of that property, you will efface from his mind
every suspicion, and remove all his fear. He does not think that, while this man is
safe, he himself can keep possession of the ample and splendid patrimony of this
innocent man; but if he be convicted and got rid of, he hopes he may be able to waste
and squander in luxury what he has acquired by wickedness. He begs that you will take
from his mind this uneasiness which day and night is pricking and harassing him, so as
to profess yourselves his assistants in enjoying this his nefariously acquired booty.
[7]
If his demand seems to you just and honourable, O
judges, I, on the other hand, proffer this brief request, and one, as I persuade myself,
somewhat more reasonable still.
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M. Tullius Cicero. The Orations of Marcus Tullius Cicero, literally translated by C. D. Yonge. London. George Bell & Sons. 1903.
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