Storia romana/Letteratura latina 40: Cicerone: vita, storia, politica (II)

Cicero: The Decline of a Statesman

Cicero's Role as "Savior of the Fatherland"

• Cicero, after his consulship, self-identifies as the savior of the Republic for thwarting Catiline's conspiracy.

• Despite this victory, it marks the beginning of Cicero's decline in public life due to controversial decisions made during his tenure.

Controversial Punishments and Political Fallout

• His choice to execute conspirators without following constitutional procedures led to significant backlash, resulting in an 18-month exile.

• The Senate viewed military leaders like Pompey with suspicion, fearing their growing power and influence over loyal armies.

Missteps Against Emerging Leaders

• Cicero failed to recognize that flattering Pompey's vanity could have been a more effective strategy than humiliation.

• This political miscalculation contributed to the formation of the First Triumvirate, altering Rome’s political landscape significantly.

Clodius and Exile

• Publius Clodius, supported by Caesar, initiated legislation against Cicero for executing Roman citizens without trial, leading to his permanent exile.

• During his exile from Rome (57 BC), Cicero faced confiscation of property and personal losses while seeking support from former allies like Pompey and Caesar.

Return from Exile and Attempts at Reconciliation

• With new tribunes supporting him in 57 BC, Cicero returned to Rome amidst political turmoil caused by Clodius' actions. He expressed gratitude towards the Senate upon his return.

• Upon returning home, he found a temple built on his former property; he sought to restore his status by reconciling with Caesar while navigating complex political dynamics involving Pompey again.

The Political Maneuvering of Cicero and the Optimates

The Lucca Agreements and Shifting Alliances

• The Lucca agreements of 56 led to a temporary alliance between Caesar and Pompey, sidelining Cicero who sought to influence Pompey's decisions against Caesar.

Cicero's Oratory and Political Writings

• During this period, Cicero engaged in oratory activities against both Clodius and Caesar, producing significant works such as "Pro Sestio" and "Pro Milone," the latter being highly regarded even in antiquity.

Governance in Cilicia

• By 51 BC, Cicero served as proconsul in Cilicia, where he continued his intellectual pursuits, including writing his first treatise on rhetoric titled "De Oratore."

Rediscovery of Cicero's Works

• His political masterpiece "De Republica" was lost for centuries until its rediscovery by Angelo Mai in 1822; it had been overwritten by a monk at Bobbio monastery.

Civil War Erupts

• In 49 BC, civil war broke out as Caesar crossed the Rubicon. Cicero aligned with Pompeo but ultimately faced defeat when Caesar emerged victorious.

Post-Caesar's Assassination Opportunities for Cicero

• Following Caesar’s assassination on March 15th, an unexpected opportunity arose for Cicero to re-engage politically. He expressed support for the conspirators through correspondence.

Senate Session After Assassination

• On March 17th, during a critical Senate session regarding the fate of the conspirators and Caesar’s policies, Cicero played a key role in mediating between opposing factions.

Compromise Proposal: Amnestia

• He proposed a reconciliation formula based on Athenian democracy principles known as “amnestia,” which aimed to prevent vengeance by encouraging forgetfulness of past grievances.

Consequences of Amnestia

• While noble in concept, this proposal served Ciceronian interests by protecting the conspirators from punishment while masking underlying power struggles within Rome.

Rise of Octavian

• Following Caesar’s death, Octavian (Caesar's adopted heir), returned to Italy ready to claim his inheritance. This development complicated political dynamics further.

Ciceronian Misjudgment

• Cicerone underestimated Octavian during their meeting at Formia; viewing him as insignificant could lead to dire consequences for Cicerone amidst rising tensions with Antony.

This structured summary captures key moments from the transcript while providing timestamps that facilitate easy reference back to specific parts of the video.

Cicero's Downfall and the Rise of the Second Triumvirate

Cicero's Political Maneuvering and Fears

• Cicero aimed to rally support around the Caesarian party while fearing the emergence of a new tyrant following Caesar's death. His misjudgment led him to target the wrong individual.

• Between 44 and 43 BC, Cicero launched aggressive speeches against Mark Antony, known as the Philippics, which became synonymous with invective in Italian.

The Formation of the Second Triumvirate

• After the Battle of Modena in 43 BC, Octavian and Antony formed an alliance under Caesar’s name through Lepidus' mediation, leading to what would be established as the Second Triumvirate.

• Following this agreement, political purges ensued similar to those during Sulla’s time; Cicero was among those targeted for proscription by Antony.

Cicero's Final Days

• On December 7, 43 BC, while at his villa in Formia amidst harsh weather conditions, Cicero contemplated fleeing but ultimately decided against it.

• Despite having loyal slaves willing to defend him, he resigned himself to fate. He offered his neck for execution after expressing a desire to die for his homeland.

The Brutality of His Execution

• Cicero was executed brutally; not only was his head severed but also his hands were cut off as punishment for speaking out against Antony.

• His severed head and hands were displayed on rostra as a grim reminder of his eloquence turned into a symbol of disdain by Antony.