Inventio (Defence)
Sextus Roscius was accused
of patricide (killing your father). This was the worst crime to commit
in Rome and was punsihable by death. Cicero suggested that Roscius
neither wanted to nor had the opportunity to kill his father, that
Roscius did not have the depraved and vicious nature required to carry
out such an act, that Roscius did not have the means to nor could get
anyone else to kill his father. Cicero also used Erucius who could prove
that Roscius was on good terms with his father who had never intended
to disinherit him.
Dispositio (Defence to Attack)
Cicero then went on to pose the question 'cui bono?' or
"who benefits? This was Cicero altering the disposito (structure) of
the trial from Defence to Attack. Cicero showed that Magnus and Capito,
relations of Sextus Roscius the Elder, had many motives and opportunity
for murdering him. Cicero also casts suspicion on their behaviour after
the murder; Magnus and Capito both gained some of the land which Sextus
Roscius the Elder had owned.
Attack on Chrysogonus
Cicero attempted to prove
that Chrysogonus had been the real author of Erucius' accusations
against Sextus Roscius (as he had gained control of most of the
land) and warns that such behaviour will have disastrous results on the
cause of the nobility. Cicero begs the judges not to allow Chrysogonus
to rob the name and life of the man who had already been robbed of his
fortune.
Veiled Attack on Sulla
Cicero continued his
attack; he attempted to separate the deeds and greed of Chrysogonus from
Sulla himself by pretending that Sulla's cruelties were acts committed
by his agents and this such bold aggression forced Sulla's hand. Cicero
let the question of acquittal rest with Sulla himself: a conviction was a
threat to the noble institutions that Sulla was attempting to restore
so had to find Sextus Roscius not guilt and therefore accept that
Chrysogonus had acted wrongly. Although there is no evidence that
charges were brought against Magnus and Capito, no record exists of
Chrysogonus after the trial.
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