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The Greco—Syrian Poet,Archias,Whom Cicero Now

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The Greco—Syrian Poet,Archias,Whom Cicero Now IN DEFENCE OF THE POET AULUS LICINIUS ARCHIAS Heraclea in Lucania. The CHAPTER THREE prosecution then asserted that there good evidence either was no of his Heraclean or of his Roman citizenship; but Cicero argues to IN DEFENCE OF the contrary. The court almost certainly decided in his favour. THE POET AULUS LICINIUS ARCHIAS But his speech, said Lord Brougham, ‘of which not more than one—sixth is to the purpose, could not have been delivered in a British court ofjustice’. Its most remarkable The Greco—Syrian poet, Archias, whom Cicero now defended in 62 andfamous feature is a long, irrelevant and moving B.C., was a friend and protege’ of the cultured Lucius Licinius digression on the glories of Greek culture and literature, and of the Lucullus, and was therefore an automatic targetfor prosecution civilized 4fe which they alone made possible. from This is perhaps the the friends ofPompeius, whose relations with Lucullus finest eulogy of the literary 4fe in the had become ancient literature. whole of extremely strained when the former superseded It presents a contrast with Cicero’s the latter in the most contemporary distaste for circumstances described in the speech Greeks — which is signficant to our About the Command of the Romans’ estimate of Cnaeus Pornpeius. Lucullus called Pompeius schizophrenic attitude towards their Hellenic a carrion bird who and subjects. heritage had come to feast on another’s kill; Pompeius named Lucullus a It must also be remembered, tragedy general whose successes were merely stage effects. Lucullus since Archias was a poet, that al though Cicero’s verse was had conic home in 64, and now Pompeius was on his way back. The laughed at by Juvenal, he began as a young man to acquire a indictment of Archias was a minor incident in the skirmishing reputationfor being the best poet as well as the best orator at Rome. between the noble oligarchy who backed Lucullus and the forces of Surviving fragments hardly enable us to form an opinion, and Archias’ poetry innovation who were hopeful rather than frightened after the iiii— has not come down to us either, since some epigrams mense eastern victories of Pompeius. in the Greek anthology bearing his name are unlikely to be his This was one of the recurrent occasions in Cicero’s 4fe when work at all. In praising his poems, Cicero, in deference to Roman disappointment at Pompeius momentarily got the better ofhis usual practicality, had pointed out how they con tributed to the glory of Rome; policy ofsupporting him (p. 129). He also realized that the military and he hoped that this speech would inspire Archias to write prestige ofthese oriental triumphs (though it was he himselfwho had a panegyric on his consulship. Alas, a letter from Cicero to Atticus got Pompeius appointed to accomplish them) was a threat to the in the following summer shows that this complimentary composition Republican, senatorial form of government to which Cicero re never materialized. mained unvaryingly devoted. Whatever benefit, The case he had to defend was somewhat obscure, but legally quite gentlemen, can be extracted from any or all of my qualifications, I feel strong. A law ofthe tribune Gaius Papius (64 B.c.) had expelled all in duty bound to place it at the disposal of Aulus non—citizens from Rome. The law had been intended to clear the city Licinius.’ I appreciate the limitations of my natural ability. But I not ofpoets but of its huge gangs of thugs. Yet jfArchias could be cannot deny that my experience as a public speaker has proved an alien he would have to leave the city, and this would be been considerable; and I admit I have a successful pinprick in the campaign against i. Cicero deliberately Lucullus and the con describes his client here as Aulus Licinius (without the addition servatives. Archias had claimed the Roman franchise as a citizen of of Archias) since that is his name as a citizen. Roman 146 ‘47 2 ARCHIAS POLITICAL SPEECHES OF CICERO i, IN DEFENCE OF THE POET AULUS LICINIUS theoretical than usual on cultural and literary matters. The studious never at any time felt a disinclination to study the best I seclusion of Archias’ background of the art. Upon all my efforts, then, the life has kept him unacquainted with the overriding claim. hazards of the courts, and it is because of the special nature of can achieve, rchias has a pre—eminent, times gone by, as his talents that I want to frame my defence in these somewhat For as far as can cast niy mind back into boyhood, the novel and unfamiliar terms. If I can but feel that you will have far as I can recollect the earliest years of my it was he who the kindness to concede me this request, I for my part under picture of the past that takes shape reveals that these studies, take to convince you that Aulus Licinius should not be ex first inspired my determination to embark on And so cluded from the list of Roman citizens; and indeed that he and who started me upon their methodical pursuit. and in a Roman here and — if this voice of mine, trained by his encouragement should certainly be made citizen now others, my if it were not that he is one already. struction, has on occasion been of service to the case of capacity to come to their assistance — and even to save some and it is he, As soon as Archias had grown out of his boyhood and the them from destruction — is derived from him: and salva studies which form a boy’s usual liberal training, he began to therefore, who must receive from me all the help devote himself to becoming a writer. He came from a good tion it lies within my power to provide. certain sur family at Antioch. At that time, it was a city of To hear such words from my lips may cause a extensive in prise, seeing that his own talents have found expression population and wealth, overflowing with fme scholars and of spheres far removed from ray own study and practice scholarly activities, and it was there that he first succeeded, ex rapidly, showing an exceptional nature. oratory. But in fact I myself have never concentrated very in gifts of Later of clusively on this one activity. And besides, all branches on, when he visited various parts ofAsia and toured round the one culture are closely related and linked together with whole of Greece, his arrival in a place would arouse the another. A further point, however, which some may equally keenest interest. His talents had by now won him a high court of reputation, and the excitement aroused by the news of an find surprising, is that in a formal inquiry and official reached justice, at a bearing conducted by a carefully chosen Roman imminent visit by Archias remarkable heights. a praetor and judges of the highest principles in front of Nevertheless, even this excited expectation was eclipsed by as which he actually crowded audience, I have planned that my speech shall the admiring enthusiasm with was received. style. was in days full of Greek culture sume a form out of keeping with forensic tradition and Southern Italy those and be in Latium too studies were pursued with But this deviation. from the usual custom happens to learning, and such than could be found in the same towns particularly appropriate to my client, yet will not, I hope, greater keenness you to today; while here at Rome also, where the internal situation cause any inconvenience to yourselves; and so I urge on was peaceful at the time, these pursuits were by no means allow me this indulgence. The fact is that I am speaking learning. neglected. Accordingly, Archias was granted citizenship and behalf ofan excellent poet, who is also a man of great tastes, other honours by Tarentum and Rhegium and Neapolis, and And I am speaking before listeners of strong literary and a all who were able to recognize a brilliant mind were glad to judges thoroughly well versed in the humanities, is that make his acquaintance and offer him hospitality. practor of exceptional calibre. What I therefore ask more freedom We, too, became aware of his considerable fame, although you should permit me to enlarge with rather 148 ‘49 POLITICAL SPEECHES OF CICERO Ut, 5 IN DEFENCE OF THE POET AULUS LICINIUS ARCHIAS we had SO far never seen him; but soon he made his way to ofLucullus’ authority and influence; and his wish was granted Rome. That was during the consuiships of Marius and Catu by the Heraclean people. In consequence of this, he also lus,2 so that the consuls he had the good fortune to find in received the citizenship of Rome, according to the law of office included one man who could provide a splendid theme Silvanus and Carbo which granted the franchise to all who have for his pen, and a colleague who was able to supply him not been admitted as citizens of federated towns on the condition only, again, with notable exploits but also with an appreciative that, when the law was passed, the persons concerned were ear. As soon as Archias arrived, while he was still very domiciled in Italy.4 They were also required to report to a young,3 the Luculli welcomed him to their house — and it is a praetor within sixty days. Archias had long been resident at tribute to his literary genius, and indeed to his whole per Rome, and reported to the praetor Quintus Metellus who was sonality, that the home which was first opened to him in his one of his close friends.
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