744. Post Reditum ad Quirites by Cicero

744.  Post Reditum ad Quirites by Cicero.    This speech Cicero gave to the people of Rome after his return from exile.  As with so many other speeches by this man, it is easy to get caught up in the elegance and careful wording and miss where he lands his punches.

He begins:

It was better for those to aim their hatred at me than you and the Republic.  Although it would be nice to go through life without trouble, I would not otherwise be able to enjoy your kindness at my return (from exile). And in a way all those things we tend to take for granted, family, friends, festivals now mean more than these ever did.

He praises the efforts of his brother.  In the past endangered citizens were supported by friends and powerful family connections and even armies, but I was supported by all of you.

It seems that Cicero is claiming that what people did at large is more impressive than what those accomplished through powerful families.

Cicero gives thanks to Lentulus Spinther, the consul who supported him during his term, Sestius who was tireless in efforts to bring Cicero back, Milo, the same and Pompey who helped get the matter through the Senate.  Cicero also singles out Lucius Gellius who may have prevented fraud at the assembly to bring back Cicero.

( Cicero knew full well that Pompey was no friend during and leading up to the exile, but for political reasons saw it better to find a way to draw Pompey closer to himself and work legitimately through the Senate.)

If anyone assumes that I have come back a broken man, that person is sadly mistaken.

(Many assumed that Cicero would go into retirement after a triumphant return from exile.)

Marius never relented, though weighed down with age, in his efforts to regain his position of importance.  He took vengeance on his enemy.  But we differ in a very important way.  He used the force of weapons, I will use my ability to speak.  

Cicero then describes the four types who tried to destroy him:

1  Those who were angry that the state was saved by my efforts.

2.  Those who pretend to be a friend but betrayed me.

3.  Those too lazy to expend the kind of energy I did.

4.  Those who sold my safety and the dignity of this state.

(These of course should have been the guardians of the state and Cicero.)

I will go after these one at a time:

By conducting business of the Republic with integrity

By putting no faith in treacherous friends

Take vengeance on the envious by serving virtue and excellence.

Avenge the traffickers of provinces by getting these called home.

It was shortly after this that Cicero attacked Piso, the Piso, who let chaos rule in Rome which led to Cicero’s exile.  Piso very likely received a plum province for his inactivity.