ISBN Cicero's De Provinciis Consularibus Oratio book English Hardcover 368 pages

Perhaps no other single Roman speech exemplifies the connection between oratory politics and imperialism better than Cicero's De Provinciis Consularibus pronounced to the senate in 56 BC. Cicero puts his talents at the service of the powerful triumviri (Caesar Crassus and Pompey) whose aims he advances by appealing to the senators' imperialistic and chauvinistic ideology. This oration then yields precious insights into several areas of late republican life: international relations between Rome and the provinces (Gaul Macedonia and Judaea); the senators' view on governors publicani (tax-farmers) and foreigners; the dirty mechanics of high politics in the 50s driven by lust for domination and money; and Cicero's own role in that political choreography. This speech also exemplifies the exceptional range of Cicero's oratory: the invective against Piso and Gabinius calls for biting irony the praise of Caesar displays high rhetoric the rejection of other senators' recommendations is a tour de force of logical and sophisticated argument and Cicero's justification for his own conduct is embedded in the self-fashioning narrative which is typical of his post reditum speeches. This new commentary includes an updated introduction which provides the readers with a historical rhetorical and stylistic background to appreciate the complexities of Cicero's oration as well as indexes and maps.