#declarations
Chapter 19: Declarations
The following morning, Cicero strode confidently into the Forum Romanum and swiftly toward the Basilica Aemilia, before which Marcus Acilius Glabrio, the city praetor charged with oversight of the corruption court, sat accepting new cases.
I myself walked only a couple of paces behind him, watching as a small crowd gathered, sensing Cicero’s intent. News of Cicero’s battle with Verres in the senate had already spread throughout the city, and if there was anything the people of Rome loved, it was a good fight.
“Ave, Marcus Acilius,” Cicero said as he approached and laid a scroll on the table before the praetor. “I am here to file charges of corruption against the former governor of Sicily, Gaius Verres.”
“I was expecting you, Cicero,” Glabrio said, looking up from his papers and accepting the scroll, upon which was a detailed description of the charges. “We will hear your opening remarks three days hence, on the kalends of Maius.”
Cicero thanked Glabrio, but rather than leaving, he stood waiting.
“Is there anything else?” Glabrio asked.
“As a matter of fact, there is,” Cicero said. “I have yet another declaration to make before I leave.”
He turned to face the crowd that had gathered and then spoke, his voice reverberating across the forum.
“People of Rome!” he called, his voice resounding across the forum. “I hereby announce that it is my intention to stand for the position of aedile in the upcoming elections!“
“I do this not for personal glory or enrichment, but because it is the responsibility of leaders to do all they can to serve the Roman people without regard for gain or notoriety. I pledge to discharge the duties of aedile to the best of my ability, and prove to you all the value of my leadership.”
His announcement was greeted by scattered applause and a few cheers, but little else. In Rome, someone was always announcing their candidacy for one position or another.
“Good for you,” Glabrio said, sarcastically. “Now if there’s nothing else?”
Cicero was underwhelmed, and set off toward his home. As we left the forum, he turned to me.
“Somehow I’d expected more, Tiro,” he said. “But I should have known. Oh, how fickle Romans are! But no matter, we have much work to do!”
