741. Pro Archia by Cicero

741.  Pro Archia by Cicero.  This is a speech well worth reading.  As with any speech, one learns history and insight into Cicero’s skills.  Here he presents a partial argument for the benefits of liberal arts.

Aulus Licnius Archias was on trial for falsely laying claim to Roman citizenship.  It was in reality a political attack on Lucius Licinius Lucullus.

Cicero claims that whatever ability he has is due to Archias, a poet.  Whatever benefits his voice has had for the safety of the people he owes to Archias.

(It is very possible that Archias taught Cicero Greek and the ideas in the literature which came with it.)

It may be that someone may think that what an orator does has no common ground with poetry.  But all of the liberal arts pertain to humanity.

Teacher with students- mosaic

So Cicero asks the court’s permission to speak in a manner different from his usual habit.  He tells the jury to listen well and they will, indeed, be convinced that Archias should not be separated.   If he were not already a citizen, he should be.

Archias pursued liberal arts in Antioch.  He began to write at an early age.  His fame grew.  When he arrived in Italy he was admired, so much so that cities granted him citizenship.  He became friends with Lucullus and lived in his house.

In Rome he was admired by the Luculli, Aemilii, Cato and Crassus, etc.

By his own right and the support of Lucullus, he was enrolled at Heraclea as a citizen.

Later according to law he presented himself to the Praetor, Quintus Metellus and was enrolled as a Roman citizen.

The evidence for his citizenship is knee deep.  But the one document the prosecution demands was, as everyone knows, destroyed in the Italian War. On the documents which do survive, his name is there.  Delegations from numerous towns are in court to back up his story.

At one time there was a census (89 BC).  Although a census does not prove citizenship, his name is not there because he was away with Lucullus on official duties.

Cicero asks for departure from usual habit.

He defends liberal arts or adds to it.

How do orators and politicians remain sharp and alert and fresh for contests?  It is done via study.  He does not mean devotion to study to the detriment of the needs of the state.  Cicero condemns those who have no clue how to apply what they learn to the general good.  Without examples he learned in his youth he would never have faced the danger he did.  

Via literature people learn about great deeds.  Cicero put these before his mind and realizes now that the stories shaped his mind with the courage needed to face difficulty.  The contemplation of great people is beneficial to all.

But someone may well ask- do all of these people mentioned have the learning mentioned by Cicero?  No.  There have been many outstanding people without learning by their own nature possessed good sense and a serious nature.  But if one examines someone with remarkable nature and add the shaping and ability to reason which learning brings- then something very unique and special results.  Besides if great people such as Cato the Elder, Scipio, Laelius derived no benefit from literature, they would hardly have spent so much time pursuing it.

But not all mental pursuit are for all time, ages and all situations.  But these studies, Cicero is discussing, sharpen youth, delight old age and are with each step of life.

Does it make sense to admire a remarkable actor such as Roscius, but neglect the swift inspiration of the mind?

Cicero loads up a raft of examples of past and present Romans whose fame has been preserved by writers.  These made their names live forever, but also reflected well on the citizens of Rome.

Cicero even tells a story about Sulla.  This is interesting because usually Sulla is not presented in a positive light.  But at a gathering of citizens, a poet handed a poorly written epigram to Sulla.  Sulla read it and made sure that the man received an award.  But then mentioned that it would be best, if he wrote no more.

Cicero’s point about the desire for leaders to be remembered in literature is this line:

trahimur omnes studio laudis et optimus quisque maxime gloria ducitur.

We are all drawn be a desire of praise and each outstanding person is especially attracted by glory and fame.

Each time I read a speech by Cicero it becomes more and more clear that his ability to come up with something different had no limits.

Signed,

obstinateclassicist