“But I must stop now. I can no longer speak for tears – and my client has ordered that tears are not to be used in his defence.”

Cicero (106-43 BC) was the greatest orator of the ancient world: he dominated the Roman courts, usually appearing for the defence. His speeches are masterpieces of persuasion: compellingly written, emotionally powerful, and somtimes hilariously funny.

This book presents five of his most famous defences: of Roscius, falsely accused of murdering his father; of the consul-elect Murena, accused of electoral bribery; of the poet Archias, on a citizenship charge; of Caelius, ex-lover of Clodia Metelli, on charges of violence; and of Milo, for mudering Cicero’s hated enemy Clodius.

Cicero’s clients were rarely whiter-than-white, but so seductive is his oratory that the reader cannot help taking his side. In these speeches we are plunged into some of the most exciting courtroom dramas of all time.

In this audio guide to Cicero’s defence speeches, Dominic Berry, senior lecturer in the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Edinburgh University and the translator of this volume, introduces Cicero and his world. To listen to the guide, click on the links below.

oratory in ancient rome

1. What was the role of oratory in the ancient world? Click here. [3:07]

2. Rhetoric was the theory and oratory the practice. Dominic Berry explains the distinction here. [1:54]

3. Not only was persuasive argument important for an orator, his own character and personal authority also counted for much in ancient Rome. Click here. [2:13]

4. Public speaking in Rome was physically demanding. Click here to learn why. [2:27]

Cicero: background and legal career

5. In this extract, Dominic Berry talks about Cicero’s inauspicious beginnings and early life. Click here. [3:23]

6. Though often to be found in the law courts, the young Cicero was not aiming to have a career as an lawyer. Dominic Berry explains the difference between being a lawyer and advocate in Rome here. [1:25]

7. Cicero began his career as an advocate in a civil case in his mid-twenties. Click here to hear about his early cases. [1:29]

the roman legal system

8. Though in many ways similar to our criminal justice system, some Roman legal practices strike us as strange and even shocking today. Click here to find out about them. [4:41]

selecting the speeches

9. Finally, Dominic Berry discusses how he made his selection of speeches for this and its companion volume of Cicero’s Political Speeches. Click here. [1:49]