#facing hortensius
Chapter 20: A Day In Court
By the morning Cicero was due to present his opening statement, word of Cicero’s prosecution had spread throughout Rome. As a result, the forum was crowded with spectators as I laid out my master’s papers on the prosecutor’s table.
At the defense table, Gaius Verres sat scowling angrily at Cicero as his advocate, Quintus Hortensius Hortalus, pointedly ignored his competition.
Between them, as magistrate, Marcus Acilius Glabrio called the court to order. As urban praetor, Glabrio would act as judge, which pleased Cicero immensely. While Glabrio was not a man of great intellect, he was known to be fair and honest – qualities that were becoming increasingly rare in Rome.
As the prosecutor, Cicero would speak first. He stood and paused, allowing the tension to build. It was a trick he had learned under the great Appolonius Molon, and used it to great advantage.
“Fellow Romans,” he said, finally. “I am here today representing not just one man, but a multitude of men. Men who have devoted their lives to the enrichment of their families, communities and country. Men not unlike many of you here today, but with one great difference. They are not citizens of Rome, but of Sicily – a nation that has, for generations, served Rome faithfully, becoming the breadbasket of the republic!“
“In exchange for their labors, Rome has protected and governed their island, recognizing that their prosperity mirrors our own. Yet in the governorship of Gaius Verres, that compact has been broken, leaving Sicily in a ruinous state and its people crying out for justice!”
“Now, my friends, most of you know me – and you know that I am a man who has always been a defender of others, not a prosecutor! But the scale of the crimes committed by Gaius Verres is so massive – so blatant in its greed – that I am unable to look the other way.“
“We know that our senior magistrates, upon drawing their assigned province, often have ambitions that include making a profit. And who can blame them, eh? Running for office is an expensive business in Rome! And who among you can say you have not been wooed by those of us wearing the toga candida? A free meal here, a gift there? Even a few coins under the table, eh?”
The crowd laughed.
“But there is a limit, my friends. There is profit, and there is uncontrolled greed! There is good-natured principle, and there is obscenity! Gaius Verres, in his theft of Sicily’s treasures and his rape of its wealthiest and most respected citizens, crossed that line!”
Cicero stood next to the defense’s table and continued as Verres scowled.
“As I said, the scope and scale of Gaius Verres’ transgressions against the people of Sicily are beyond compare in the history of the republic,” Cicero continued. “However, because of that scale – the sheer number of crimes to be documented and witnesses to be deposed, it is my request that we delay these proceedings so that I may continue gathering valuable evidence for the prosecution.”
Hortensius sat up quickly, then stood.
“What is this?” he asked, arrogantly. “You bring charges of corruption against my client, then admit to this court that you do not have sufficient evidence to pursue those charges? I cannot see any reason to delay.”
“No reason?” Cicero countered. “Until recently, the presence of Gaius Verres in Sicily created an environment in which few of his victims would speak out. Now that he has left his post, I wish to travel to Sicily so that I may interview these additional victims.”
Glabrio pondered Cicero’s request.
“I will not have this proceeding dragged out overlong,” he said. “However, your point is well taken, Cicero. I will allow you 90 days to gather your evidence, at which time this court will reconvene. But take heed – no additional delays will be tolerated.”
“None will be needed,” Cicero replied.
“I object to this unnecessary delay,” Hortensius complained, his hands fluttering in the air. “Every day this court delays is another day in which my client’s reputation continues to be unfairly maligned.”
“I’m sure he’ll live,” Glabrio said, then looked at Cicero. “Ninety days. Until then, this court is adjourned.”
