J. B. Greenough, G. L. Kittredge, Select Orations of Cicero, Allen and Greenough's Edition., Defence of Roscius. (Pro Sex. Roscio Amerino) B.C. 80., IV. Defensio, The sale of the property of the elder Roscius was illegal and his proscription in every way irregular. For this act Chrysogonus is to be blamed, not Sulla for Sulla was necessarily so much occupied with affairs of state that details of this kind escaped his attention. , section 39

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Defence of Roscius. ( Pro Sex. Roscio Amerino ) B.C. 80.

Recapitulation.

Roscius had not only no motive to commit the crime, but no means of committing it. Erucius is challenged to tell how Roscius could himself have killed his father or could have procured his death through others.

The sale of the property of the elder Roscius was illegal and his proscription in every way irregular. For this act Chrysogonus is to be blamed, not Sulla for Sulla was necessarily so much occupied with affairs of state that details of this kind escaped his attention.

In thus attacking Chrysogonus, Cicero is not assailing the cause of the nobility. On the contrary, that cause is honored by resistance to him. His insolence and power are unbearable. It was not to advance such slaves as he that Sulla fought and conquered.

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Kalendas Junias, acc. in the same constr. as diem.

tabulas: confiscated property belonged to the state, and public records of its seizure and sale were, of course, kept.

nulla, not at all: § 290 (191); B. 239; G. 325, R.6; H. 513, 3 (457, 3); H.-B. 245.

redierunt = relata sunt.

facetius, more cleverly: in the case supposed, the pretended proscription would never have occurred and the property would have been taken without even the forms of law.

ante tempus, too early, i.e. before it is time to raise so trivial a question as that of a title to property (Roscius is now on trial for his life).

reduviam curem (proverbial), treat a sore finger, i e. in a case of life and death I deal only with some trifling ailment. For mood see § 535, e (320, e); B. 283, 3; G. 586 H. 592 (517); H.-B. 523.

non . . . rationem . . . ducit, he does not take account (a mercantile phrase).

Select Orations of. Cicero. Allen and Greenough's Edition. Revised by J. B. Greenough and G. L. Kittredge, with a special vocabulary by J. B. Greenough.

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