The Speech
On Behalf of Sestius(
Pro Sestio) was one of a number of speeches that Cicero delivered after his recall to help those who were being prosecuted in part because of their efforts on his behalf. In the speech, Cicero defends Publius Sestius, who, according to Cicero, had assisted him in keeping an eye on his fellow consul C. Antonius during the Catilinarian conspiracy and who was instrumental in Cicero’s return from exile. Cicero was but one member of Sestius’ defense team, and, as such, his speech does not outline the case – a job ceded to the orator Hortensius. Indeed, we know the charge was
vis contra rem publicam(‘violence detrimental to the state’) but Sestius, other than featuring as a victim of violence, is never described in Cicero’s speech as an instigator…
1428 words
Citation: Melchior, Aislinn. "Pro Sestio". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 08 February 2014 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=20493, accessed 22 November 2024.]
