Cicero’s Defense Speech for the Poet Archias

[I]
If I have any ability, judges, which though I know as small, whether it be loquacious exercise (in which I do confess I am rather well versed) or if there is some reason for this discipline and pursuit accomplished through studying of the finest arts, which I declare that at no time have I ever turned away from, for these reasons all — or foremost among them — A. Licinius here deserves to seek his fruit in turn from me near by his legal right. Since to the furthest extent of time gone past my mind looks back on, and recalls its earliest memory of being a boy, from then up until now I have and do I look upon this man as the chief one to set me out upon a course of undertaking and pursuing a reason for these studies. Because if this voice formed at the encouragement and from the principles of this man has ever been a help to anyone, which is where we get how we are able to assist certain people and to serve others for this very one: how fixed a thing it is within us that we ought bring both help and health. And so no one by chance be surprised to hear this said thus, that this man has a natural aptitude, not for the explanation or studying of speech (we alone have been wholly given over to this one pursuit), since all the arts which relate to human kind possess this common bond and are held together as if by a certain understanding.
[II]
But so one of you not think it a miracle that I, engaged in upright inquiry and a public case, since the issue is brought before the Roman People’s magistrate, the most eminent of men, and to the most discriminating judges in such a great gathering crowd of folks and business, use this manner of speaking which may depart not only from what one hears of legal affairs, but even from what one hears in court; I ask you grant me favor in this case and make exception for this witness here before you, to whom I hope I in am no way doing a disservice that I speak on behalf of the top poet and most educated individual amongst this gathering of such literate people by this, your human grace, and certainly by this Official’s exercise of judgment, as we pursue studies in human-ness and literature, which I speak even more freely of, and in a character which is drawn in through leisure & study away from judgments and danger in using a somewhat novel and unusual style of speaking; and if I grant this from you to me and give it in return, shall I finish to perfection so that this Aulus Licinius not only should not be deported, since he is a citizen, of citizens’ rank even if he were not, you would say that he should be naturalized by law.

[III]
Now, as soon as Archias departed from child’s games (and through those arts by which a young man is molded towards cultural courtesy) he dedicated himself to studying writing first at Antioch — since he was born in that remarkable area, a city once famed for its prosperity and its people erudite in kindness learning fluently to study — his natural ability quickly began to surpass all in its renown. After that his visits were so celebrated in certain parts of Asia, and the whole of Greece, that the expectation of the man outstripped his reputation for innovation, and the crowd’s wonder at his approach exceeded what had been expected. Back then Italy was teeming with Greek arts and learning, and this enthusiasm was cultivated even more fiercely over Latium than today in those same parts, was even quite well known right here in Rome due to the peaceful state of the Republic; and so the people Tarentini and Locrians, Rhegii and Neapolitans granted him citizens’ status in addition to other rewards, and everyone who could in any way pass judgment on talent considered him worthy of recognition and welcome. Being famed for such a reputation and known even by those far removed, he came to Rome in the consulship of Marius and Catulus. First off he met them both so that the latter could summon the utmost of resources for his writing while the other, in addition to his accomplished, and even enthusiastic, attention applied his ears. Lucullus’ family accepted him into their home right on the spot because even back then Archias wore the Young Man’s toga. He, truly, gave not only the light of his literary talent, but also his character and strength. Even the home which first favored him in youth was most eminently familiar in his old age. At this time he was acquainted with Quintus Metellus, the famous man from Numidia, with his son Pius, given audience with Marcus Aemilius, lodging by Quintus Catulus, both the Elder and Jr., was called on by Lucius Crassus; but when he held audience with the Luculli and Drusus, Octavii and Cato, the entire house of the Hortensii relegated to custom, he was moved deeply by public esteem which not only those wanting to make something happen & listen to him affected, but also even if there were a few perhaps pretending.
[IV]
But after a break of some fair length he set out for Sicily with Marcus Lucullus and, leaving that province with him, came to Heraclea. But since that town fell under the most fair right by alliance, he wanted to be written into the local record and because he was thought worthy in and of himself by the authority and gratitude of the Luculli, he earned it from the Heracleans. The right of citizenship is granted by the Law of Silvanus and Carbo: “IF THERE ARE THOSE WHO WOVLD BE ADDED TO ALLIED CITIES AND STATE: Who held residence back when the Law was ratified in Italy shall make a declaration to the Governor within sixty days.” Since he had kept his lodgings here in Rome for many years, he declared his citizen’s status before the Praetor Quintus Metellus, a man well-known to him. If we are speaking of nothing other than citizenship and law, I’ve nothing more to say. The case has been made. But which of these points could fail, Grattius? Do you deny that he was accounted for at Heraclea? We have here a man of the highest authority, piety and trust, Marcus Lucullus; and he has said that he does not think, but knows, not by report but as eyewitness, who was not only there but presided. The deputies of Heraclea are here, men of noble reputation, and have come for this very case with official orders and with a public deposition; they say this man was counted a citizen at Heraclea. Do you want the public records here, when we all know they were lost in the Italian war when the archive was burned? To attest to things we do not have, to ask for what we cannot hold and pass over people’s recollection in silence; to demand the stated proof of letters and, when you behold the conscientious obligation of an honorable man, the sworn oath and faith of an incorporated township and, rejecting these facts which are entirely incontrovertible, to plead for the records which you yourself say were destroyed is a thing absurd. Or did this man not keep an abode in Rome, who settled there for so many years before citizenship was given as the seat for all of his possessions and own affairs? Didn’t he make the declaration? But it was clearly stated in those records by the customary statement and assembly of elected officials, preserved on the authority of public documentation.
[V]
Since Appius’ record-tables were said to’ve been rather shoddily maintained (Gabinius’ carelessness, as yet untried, was after his conviction a disaster that obliterated all trust in his record-keeping), Metellus, a most scrupulous man of the highest conduct, was so carefully attentive that he came before the local official Lucius Lentulus and judges to say he had been brought there in haste by the erasure of one name. So you see there certainly is no fudging in these tablets on Aulus Licinius’ name. As these things are so, what doubt can you have about his citizenship; especially since he had also been enrolled in other cities’ charters? In actual fact, when people were freely handing out citizenship in Greek towns to a number of nobodies with no (or with some low) talent did the people of Rhegium, Locri, Neapolis or Tarentum (since they were in the habit of bestowing it lavishly to artists on stage) not want it for this man endowed with the loftiest renown for genius? What! When certain men, not just after their enrollment was given, but after the passage of the Naturalization Law even, crept in by some means to the charter of those townships, should this man, who not only abided in the places where he was listed, since he ever held himself a resident of Heraclea, be thrown out?
And you ask for our census reports as if it is not known that during the latest one my client had been with the illustrious General Lucullus amongst his troops; or in the census before with the same as State Treasurer in Asia; or the earliest one under Julius and Crassus when not one part of the population was counted. But census rosters do not guarantee a citizen’s right and only prove that he who registered had acted like a citizen at the time. During the years you allege your charge that he knowingly had not been naturalized by the right of Roman citizens, he also made and revised a will according to our laws and accepted Roman citizens’ bequests, was even amid his honors admitted to the treasury by Lucullus after his term. [VI] Follow the arguments, if you can: This man will never be refuted in his own or by the judgment of his friends.

Perhaps, Grattius, you ask us why we feel such affection for this person:
because he provides respite for our mind from the courtroom’s clamor and exhausted ears rest from the chatter. Do you suppose that what we speak about everyday, on such a wide variety of topics, is itself sufficient if we do not renew our selves with teaching, or that our souls could bear such great strain if we did not expand them with that same instruction? I admit in truth that I have been devoted to these studies. It would scandalize some if they so buried themselves in written works that they were able neither to provide from it the fruit of common good, nor bear it in the light of public view: But could that embarrass me, who’s lived so many years like this, judges, that I have not ever been drawn from another’s necessity or convenience by free time, or hedonism called me away or even sleep to slow me down?
For what reason could somebody, pray tell, find fault with me, or censure me by right if as much as others engage in their own matters, or celebrate festival days of games, how much is allotted to other enjoyments and for that rest itself of soul and body in time, how much some devote to banquets and gatherings, or even to the game-board or ball games is how much I have spent cultivating these studies for myself? And this truly must be granted me the more, that my ease at public speaking also grows from these pursuits which, so far as I am able, has never failed my friends in time of need. If this appears rather negligible to one, I feel those things surely, which are the greatest, from the source to which I cling.
For if I did not believe from my adolescence on the lessons of many and a great many writings that nothing in life should be sought after unless it is praise and honor, and all of the bodily discomfort accompanying these things, all threats of death and banishment be considered light, I never would have thrown myself before your health of mind in so many dangers as such and into these daily rushes amidst reckless people. But books are overflowing all, wise people’s voices teeming, antiquity is full: All those things lie in shadows unless the light of literature approach. How many images — not only for watching but also to imitate — of the most powerful, steadfast & courageous men have Greek and Roman writers both left us as representations? I have always supported these in my administration of public welfare & have tried to form my soul and mind with this understanding of extraordinary ones.

[VII]
Someone might ask: “What? Those highest men themselves, whose strengths appear in letters, is that the lesson which you bring up for praise? That they were educated?” Of all things to convince, this is admittedly difficult, but is still (to be sure) something I must answer. I confess that there have been many people of outstanding character and strength, and they have, without instruction, become both upright and important of themselves through a natural inclination that is near divine. I even add this: more frequently does natural ability attain merit & strength without training than learning without talent. I also contend likewise since a certain reasoning and adherence to discipline has approached an excellent and illustrious nature, then surely it must be a thing outstanding and in a class of its own.
Our fore-fathers saw the godlike Scipio Africanus someone of this number from which Laelius, Furius also were the most wise and eminently fair, just individuals; from this the bravest and most educated man of his time, Marcus Cato, that famous elder statesman. I assure you, if these men were not aided by reading in attaining & maintaining a virtuous life, they never would have devoted themselves to study of these things; because if so great a fruit were not revealed in them, and if personal amusement alone were sought from these pursuits, you would still (as I judge) conclude that this attentiveness is the most civilized and democratic thing on earth because other approaches do not relate to their time, all ages or places. These studious pursuits develop the youth, charm old age, smooth over difficulties; provide the downcast with a comforting escape, entertain at home, are no hindrance outdoors, spend the night, travel and vacation along with us.
Even if we are ourselves unable to touch these things or experience them through sense, we should nevertheless still think they are amazing when we see them in others.

[VIII]
Which of us was so harsh and unfeeling that s/he was not moved by the recent death of Roscius the thespian? And when the elderly man had passed, he still seemed not to be altogether gone on account of his unparalleled artistry and charm. Did that man arouse such love for himself from everyone one of us with bodily gesticulations? Do we ignore the incredible momentum of his wits and pass over the alacrity of his intellect?
How often have I seen Archias here, judges — allow me to make use of your kind grace since you are listening so attentively to this, my innovative style of speaking — how many times have I seen this man, without having written a single letter, recite a great many of the choicest lines of verse about those very topics which had been under discussion right then; and there repeat the very same matter encore, only with different words and expressions! But take care to consider his writings (of which I see so approved) that he may arrive amongst authors traditional in praise. How could I not set him apart, not adore; not think that he must be pleaded for no matter what the cost? And so do we accept from the most elevated and erudite of humankind the study of set topics comprised of education, principles and art: that poets are valuable by their very nature, that they are stirred by the force of imagination and inspired by a certain spirit as if it were from god. That is why our famed poet Ennius, quite rightly, calls them ‘holy’ — because they appear to us to have been entrusted with a gift and offering almost divine.
Therefore, judges, let this title of ‘poet’ be revered among you most humane of human-beings because nothing invasive has ever tarnished it, and the rocky peaks and remotest wilderness echo his voice, savage beasts are often appeased with singing and stand still: we too, directed by the greatest affairs, are moved by the voice of singers and poems. The people of Colophon say Homer was their countryman, of Chios–that he was theirs, residents of Salamis state the same; but the Smyrnaeans assert he was their own and so they even dedicated a temple in his honor (a number of others also contend with one another to dispute this claim).
[IX]
Then these people seek out a foreigner even now after his death because he was a poet: Will we reject this man alive who is ours by both his will and laws when Archias has for so long applied all of his studies and genius entire towards honoring the glory in praise of the Roman people? As a youth he even wrote about the Germanic campaigns, which delighted the famous Gaius Marius himself, a man not overly renowned in his zeal for literary pursuits.
In fact no one is so at odds with the Muses that they not willingly accept their own actions be committed to permanence in publication of poetic verse. They say that Themistocles, the highest-ranking man of Athens, when asked whose music or voice he would most prefer to hear, replied: “Whomever’s excellence is reputed best.” So likewise did Marius favor Lucius Plotius above all, thinking that through his talent would his own exploits be made known.
But the war against Mithridates, so vast and intractable in its various operations by land and sea, was captured in its entirety by this man whose books not only celebrate Lentulus Lucullus, the most courageous and famous of men, but also the name of the Roman populace. For it was people of Rome that spread out over the Bosphorus with Lucullus in command (though Pontus was protected by its former King’s resources & a naturally fortified local), the Roman people’s army at Lentulus’ lead that routed (with a much smaller force) the untold Armenians’ reserves; the glory of Rome’s people that the most faithful alliance with the citizens of Cyzicus, by that same man’s plan, was snatched from the entire Royalist onslaught, the gaping jaws of total war & was saved. Always it shall be spoken of, proclaimed that under Lentulus Lucullus’ struggle was, in killing the commanders and sinking the enemies’ fleet from a compromised position, the unbelievably well-known sea battle off of Tenedos ours: These are our trophies, our monuments to a triumph in victory. These things which are spoken of by the genius and talent of these men make the reputation of the Roman people widely known.
Our dear Ennius was beloved by the elder Scipio and so he is also thought to be portrayed in marble upon the family tomb. And surely by these honors not only is this one praised, but also is glorified the people’s name: “Romans.” Into the sky was this man’s great-grandfather Cato immortalized, a great man added as an honor to the affairs of the Roman race. [X] Certainly all those noted men like Maximus, Marcellus, Fulvius do not receive due honor without the collective admiration of us all. That is why our ancestors accepted into their state the person who made such praise, the man from Rudia [Ennius]: Will we now expel this man, sought after by so many cities, who became a resident of Heraclea legally, from our state?

Now if some people think the glorious fruit taken from Greek more negligible than that of Latin poetry’s, they blunder terribly for the very reason that Greek works are read by nearly every people, while Latin ones confined within rather narrow boundaries. That is why if those things which we carry to the regions of the entire world are unbounded, we should welcome wherever the arms of our forces may arrive, where fame & glory open up, because those very people whose affairs are written of are filled with them and there can be no doubt that they risk their lives for the cause of glory & this is the greatest incentive to hard work in dangerous times.
Do you know how many writers Alexander the Great of Macedon is supposed, said to have had for his achievements? And yet as he crossed the desert in search of Achilles’ funereal mound and reached over the top, “You luck-y,” he said, “man who discovered Homer to sing out your strength” in truth; for in case the Iliad had not been composed (and as well the shrine) which preserved his corpse his name would have been covered forever in dust. What? Is this our great Magnus who equated virtue with fortune; didn’t he grant Theophanes from Mytilene, the author of his campaigns enfranchisement in the presence of his officers’ assembly? And aren’t those strong examples we know but country men and soldiers stirred by the sweet taste of praise as they partake of the same glory and shouted their approval with a roar?
Therefore I believe if Archias were not a Roman citizen by law his status could not have been ratified by one exercising consular authority. It was back when Sulla, I believe, agreed to enroll Spaniards and Gauls and had rejected someone’s petition; in th’ Assembly we watched some poor, popular poet plop down his little book for him dedicated “to: Him” on the cover, with uneven lengths of doggerel lines and he demands to be awarded right then & there for those things he was selling: but with the caveat he stop writing after that. Could he who thought his scrutiny worthy of an awful poet have sought out the talent for genius & powerful writing equally in sum? Why, wasn’t he prevailed upon by Quintus Metellus Pius, his closest acquaintance to make many people citizens, and not just by himself and by Lucullus, who wanted in particular, still, to be written about for his accomplishments; to hear for himself at long last the native poets of Cordova with their thick, foreign accent?

[XI]
This fact cannot be concealed, but must be brought before us: we are all drawn by desire of praise, even the greatest is led by glory most. The noted philosophers themselves still scratch their name into the booklets they write to discredit fame. In the very act of disdaining to look upon a worthy reputation they want to be made public and be known by name.
The most high commander Decimus Brutus adorned the entrances of temples and monuments with lyrics of his dearest friend Accius; another is Fulvius who had Ennius as his companion on campaign against the Aetolians of Greece (and he did not hesitate to offer work of hands to the music of battle). For in Rome our military leaders are armed, as it were, with poets’ name and tend to the goddesses’ temple where robed judges are incapable to shirk worshipping the Muses or the well-being of their singers of poems.
But in order that you act more willingly, I’ll now address myself to you, judges, to disclose a bit about my own passion for accomplishment — perhaps a bit too strong — but worthy nonetheless; for the achievements I garnered in my consulship likewise along with you in preserving the sovereignty of this state and safety of its citizens for the whole Republic have been touched upon by Aulus in a poem that is just now taking shape. And now this task is known (a topic both weighty and joyous to me), I exhort the man to complete it: true excellence needs no salesman to pitch its labors or risks beyond this, its glory of praise. Judges, if this be diminished, what is left that we should tend to of such works in our, so thin, brief course of life?
To be sure, if the soul did not look futureward, even if existence’s space is marked off within these divisions, it would — by its contemplations — entirely end them. It would not wrack itself with such exertion, not be distressed by so many sleepless cares nor fight so often in defense of its very being. Right now a certain strength of character is fixed truly upon the greatest, by day & night incites the mind to be glorified and serves to remind that our name is not to be scattered with our lifetime’s end, but must and will be equal to all generations come in time.

[XII]
But should we all appear so narrow-minded as to engage in public business amidst life’s threatening bustle so that, when we are led to the utter end, no quiet, no peace, no rested soul? Shall we judge all things to perish at once with us? So many people of the highest caste have been eager to leave portraits and statues, not of their soul, but of the body physical; ought we not desire the more a likeness of our designs and worth be left, polished and portrayed with the most talented abilities? I truly believe that all the things I did then as now do I have scattered and cast broad across the Earth as an eternal memory. But whether this will endure apart from my perception after I’m dead, or — as the wisest philosophers believe — will extend to reach some piece of myself, I am happy to be pleased with a certain thought of it and hope.

For this reason judges please spare someone in decency, a person whom you have seen justified first by the authority of his friends, then of his own age; you must see a talented genius so great as fit to be judged, that it has been sought by the intellects of the greatest individuals; and so in this way is his case by right of law, authority of his town, witness of Lucullus and Metellus’ records proved. Since this is so we ask you judges if esteem for such talent ought not only be human, but even divine as a result of his having celebrated you, your leaders and the achievement of the Roman people, who offers himself as giving everlasting proof of our recent dangers & peril to your homes and is of that class who’ve always been by all held and said as holy, so let you accept him into your confidence that he look relieved by your humanity rather than wronged by your severity.
I have stated the facts of the case as I’m wont to: in brief and without guile. Judges, I trust these words have been acceptable to all; although they are far removed my nominal legal expertise, I have spoken of these matters in human genius and common good of his studies in hope they are by you judges taken in good faith; by he who exercises judgment, I know for sure.