De Imperio Cn. Pompei by Cicero

690.  De Imperio Cn. Pompei by Cicero. Background.  The more success the Republic had, the more demands increased for involvement over seas.  Leaders of the Republic saw the need to become more and more involved in matters beyond Italy, sometimes due to pressure from those who sought fame, but also due to a genuine desire to protect Italy and allies of the Republic.  Political infighting and reluctance also caused the Republic to neglect the interests and needs of those who appealed to the Republic for help.  Pirates, in the absence of Republic involvement, had come to control large portions of the Mediterranean Sea.  In fact at times food was scarce.  The Republic faced a crisis.  Pompeius was selected to clear the seas of Pirates.  He did this in 45 days.  A feat which surely would rival modern capacity. Another long standing crisis persisted in the east (modern day Turkey and beyond).  Three commanders had already been sent against Mithridates.  He had maneuvered for years to place himself at the head of a powerful state in opposition to the Republic.  The Republic's problems with the Social Wars, Sulla's civil wars, and political conflict had allowed Mithridates to recover and flourish, in spite of the fact that three commanders had been sent against him.  A Tribune, Manilius, put forth a bill to appoint Pompeius as commander to set things right in the east.  The Roman people had endured Social Wars, Civil War and intense political contests, and the cost in lives and money to deal with Mithridates.   It appears that they were not interested in another war.

The speech.  So when Cicero gives this speech to the Romans assembled, it is not pro forma in the sense that he talks, the law is passed and a general is sent.  That modern view has done much to distort the accomplishments of the Senate and Romans/Italians.

Cicero makes the point that the Republic had defended her allies against Carthage, Philip, Antiochus and others.  Cicero makes an interesting point when he says that the taxes collected from most allies barely cover the cost of protection but Asia (Turkey and beyond) is the source of wealth needed to defend the empire. It seems that many citizens had little interest in the fate or needs of those people and companies who collected the taxes.  Cicero carefully explains business men have invested large sums in setting up offices, staff, networks to do this work.  They collect the revenue.  That revenue is sent to Rome.  That is the money used to fund, among other things, the defense of the empire.  Cicero explains that if turmoil occurs in Asia, farmers in the area plant less due to fear of loss, business people there cut back for the same reasons, Republican investors will not put money into a losing project.  Then those taxes are not collected.  Money does not come to Rome.  Investment locally in Italy falls because money becomes tight and interest rates increase.  Cicero points out that the finances in the Forum depend on tranquillity in Asia.  Cicero connects the security of Asia to the security of Italy.  In fact he makes the case that citizens have the obligation to defend their honor, their allies and revenue and those citizens who risk their lives for the Republic.  All of these are bound together, one is not separate from the other. (14,15,16,17)

Cicero throughout gives a tutorial on proper conduct in governing the empire and in the process gives the purpose of empire: 

A leader must practice restraint, pursue moderation, be accessible, open to complaints, possess a sense of humanity, practice that war ceases when weapons are dropped, display courage, be persistent.  These qualities create prestige which will restrain those who would do damage to the Republic.  These qualities create prosperity.

The law passed.  Pompeius brought an end to Mithridates.

Two things struck me about this speech.  One- his honesty in assessing the situation, two- his constant reference to operate under high standards at all times.