Cicero's Pro L. Murena Oratio (American Philological Association Texts and Commentaries) (Society for Classical Studies Texts & Commentaries)

Cicero's speech on behalf of L. Lucinius Murena, newly elected to the consulship of 62 Bce but immediately prosecuted for electoral bribery, is especially famous for its digressions and valuable for its insights into the complex political wrangles of the late 60s. It is, however, a speech more commonly excerpted and cited than read in its entirety, though whether the absence of an English-language commentary is a cause or effect of that situation remains uncertain. In short, a pedagogical commentary on this important and strange speech is long overdue. Distinguished Latinist Elaine Fantham's commentary is noteworthy for its ability to elucidate not only the rhetorical structure of this speech but the rationale behind Cicero's strategic decisions in creating that structure. It also calls attention to the stylistic features like word choice, rhetorical figures, and rhythmic effects that make the speech so effective, and explains with care and precision the political, social, and historical considerations that shaped the prosecution and defense of the somewhat hapless defendant. This commentary includes the kind of grammatical explication required to make its riches accessible to undergraduate students of Latin. Cover 1 Contents 6 Acknowledgments 8 Map 11 Introduction: Pro Murena 12 Pro L. Murena Oratio 42 Commentary 92 Appendix: Related Texts 206 Bibliography 228 Index of Persons and Places 232 This text provides a long-overdue pedagogical commentary on Cicero's "Pro L. Muerna Oratio" Elaine Fantham. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [219]-222) And Indexes.