657. Cicero by Plutarch- summary

657.  Cicero by Plutarch.  Cicero put on a silver plate which he dedicated to the gods- Marcus Tullius and then an engraving of a chickpea.  He was known as the best poet and best orator.  During time of Sulla Cicero took on Chrysongamus, a creature of Sulla, who had trumped up charges against Roscius to get at his immense wealth.  Cicero won the case.  Plutarch records that Cicero "owing to weakness of stomach could only with difficulty take a little light food late in the day."  This comment is interesting in light of Cicero's remark that he always had butterflies before a speech.  Common report is that after Roscius defense, Cicero left Rome to avoid wrath of Sulla.  But when one examines what he did there it has the mark of something planned in advance.  He studies under Philo, Antiochus to refine his speech- perhaps even mistakes and failing he noticed during the Roscius speech.  Also studied under Xenocles of Adramyttum, Dionusus of Magnesia, Menippus the Carian, Apollonius of Molo and Posidonius.  Besides if Sulla had genuinely been after him- a trip overseas would have been a perfect times to bump the dude off.  He dove so fully into philosophy that he earned the nickname of "The Greek".  Not good for a rising politician.  To improve voice he took lessons from Roscius and Aesop who were the finest actors of the day.

Cicero loved jest, pleasantries and word play.  I suggest but Plutarch does not that this was a sign of his deep seated ambition and that in a number of ways a volcano lived in a pleasant serene looking body.  Could be very bitting toward others.  Also tells neat story from Pro Plancio where he, Cicero, tells a story completely at his own expense.  But his desire for glory may have outweighed good sense sometimes.  A demon he had to wrestle with his whole life.

Cicero in 70 B.C. prosecuted Verres who was governor of Sicily.  This was a high level big stakes trial.  Verres had friends in high places.  An attempt was made to delay the trial until a friendly consul would be in office.  This failed to stop Cicero.  Hortensius, that friendly consul, soon to take office was the lead defense for Verres.  Verres apparently had given Hortenius an ivory sphinx.  During the course of the trial Cicero made a mysterious statement to which Hortenius replied that he was not good at solving riddles.  Cicero shot back- but at your house you have the sphinx.

After Cicero's stint in Sicily as Quaestor the Sicilians out of gratitude brought Cicero live stock, produce during his Aedileship.  Cicero used these to lower the price of those commodities for the general public.

Plutarch again mentions that Cicero ate late in the day due to his stomach.

When Praetor, Licinius Macer a person with high connections was brought to trial.  He was so convinced that he would be acquitted he went home to change into fresh clothes to wear at the end of the trial.  He was found guilty- the presiding judge was Cicero.

Vatinius had swellings on his neck.  Cicero, as Praetor, was slow in the opinion of Vatinius at rendering a decision.  Vatinius complained- Cicero replied-  But I do not have the same kind of neck.

During the crisis of Catiline Marcus Crassus received a note which suggested that he leave town for a few days.  Crassus notified Marcus Marcellus and Scipio Metellus and the three went to Cicero's house at midnight.  When Cicero gave the 1st Catilinarian Catiline left town and interesting 300 followers went with him.

As an aside- I must deal with these stories of Cicero's sarcasm and witty remarks made at inappropriate moments.  This may be due to that volcano he had inside him and this was his way of dealing with the difficulty.

After Pharsalus Cicero was offered command against Caesar by Cato the Younger.  Cicero refuse.  Several generals became enraged and drew their swords.  Cato interceded and perhaps saved Cicero's life.

A great crowd of people met Cicero when he returned to Rome during the crisis of Antony.  Must find a way to reconcile this with he remarks about general population on occasion.

Plutarch's record of a dream by Cicero that Octavian would someday rule is so bogus as to be ridiculous particularly when it is known that Cicero put no stock in dreams.

It just may be that what Plutarch demonstrates is that Augustus and his buddies carefully created a version of Cicero beneficial to themselves and detrimental to Cicero.  For there are versions that Cicero proposed:

a joint consulship for Cicero and Octavian.
Cicero's love of power
Cicero canvassed for Octavian's consulship.

By doing so they took history out of Cicero's hands and placed it in the hands of those willing bend it.

Bogus too that Octavian resisted placing Cicero's name on the Proscription list.  Octavian never hesitated to promote himself or his party or his reputation.

The story that Quintus returned to get money he left at his house makes no sense- something sneaky is revealed with that detail.  Several pages missing here.  A lacuna as they say.

Cicero is depicted as irresolute in his decision to flee Italy and save his life.  This has the ring of something begun to be repeated so often and so readily that few questioned.  I wonder if this comes or the inspiration for it comes from his devotion to the Academy where all sides of an argument are debated and that few things are known for certain.  Not many then or now would have sensitivity for such an approach to learning.

It is interesting that Tiro makes not mention of the treachery of Philologus.  But his part of traitor makes the story more juicy and fitting with other tidbits.