Author: Steel , Catherine
Title: Being Economical with the Truth: What Really Happened at Lampsacus (Verrines II 1)
Review/Collection: in : Cicero the Advocate, Powell & Paterson, 2004
Place edition: Oxford
Editor: Oxford University Press
Year edition: 2004
Pages: 233-252
Keywords: Droit - Diritto - Law, Histoire - Storia - History, Rhétorique - Retorica - Rhetorics
Description: This chapter examines Cicero's forensic speech detailing the attempted kidnap and rape of a noblewoman from Lampsacus, followed by a riot in which Verres was almost burned alive, and by a trial rigged by Verres which led to the judicial murder of Philodamus and his son. It argues that none of the evidence which Cicero cites points conclusively to the interpretation he offers. In his prosecution speech, Cicero is not presenting an objective historical account, but making the best possible case for Verres' guilt. It seems clear that Cicero wishes his readers to see the events at Lampsacus as a tightly unified whole, where the banquet is followed on the one hand by the justified but abortive attempt by the citizens of Lampsacus to punish Verres, and the unjust but successful attempt by Verres to punish Philodamus and his son. This chapter views the conviction of Philodamus and the riot of the Lampsacenes as two separate incidents.[Author] [Powell & Paterson 2004]
Works:
Author initials: Steel 2004
Title: Being Economical with the Truth: What Really Happened at Lampsacus (Verrines II 1)
Review/Collection: in : Cicero the Advocate, Powell & Paterson, 2004
Place edition: Oxford
Editor: Oxford University Press
Year edition: 2004
Pages: 233-252
Keywords: Droit - Diritto - Law, Histoire - Storia - History, Rhétorique - Retorica - Rhetorics
Description: This chapter examines Cicero's forensic speech detailing the attempted kidnap and rape of a noblewoman from Lampsacus, followed by a riot in which Verres was almost burned alive, and by a trial rigged by Verres which led to the judicial murder of Philodamus and his son. It argues that none of the evidence which Cicero cites points conclusively to the interpretation he offers. In his prosecution speech, Cicero is not presenting an objective historical account, but making the best possible case for Verres' guilt. It seems clear that Cicero wishes his readers to see the events at Lampsacus as a tightly unified whole, where the banquet is followed on the one hand by the justified but abortive attempt by the citizens of Lampsacus to punish Verres, and the unjust but successful attempt by Verres to punish Philodamus and his son. This chapter views the conviction of Philodamus and the riot of the Lampsacenes as two separate incidents.[Author] [Powell & Paterson 2004]
Works:
Author initials: Steel 2004
