Cōnstituitur in forō Lāodicēae spectāculum acerbum et miserum et grave tōtī Asiae prōvinciae, grandis nātū parēns adductus ad supplicium, ex alterā parte fīlius, ille quod pudīcitiam līberōrum, hic quod vītam patris fāmamque sorōris dēfenderat. Flēbat uterque nōn dē suō suppliciō, sed pater dē fīlī morte, dē patris fīlius. Quid lacrimārum ipsum Nerōnem putātis profūdisse? quem flētum tōtīus Asiae fuisse, quem luctum et gemitum Lampsacēnōrum? secūrī esse percussōs hominēs innocentēs, nōbilēs, sociōs populī Rōmānī atque amīcōs, propter hominis flāgitiōsissimī singulārem nēquitiam atque improbissimam cupiditātem!
study aids
After his portrayal of the corrupt and hasty trial, Cicero now lingers on the scene of execution, which reduced everyone with even a bit of human decency to tears. This is pathos on a grand scale. . . [full essay]
Grammar and Syntax:
- Explain the case and function of natu.
- Explain the case and function of lacrimarum.
Style and Theme:
- Analyse the arrangement of sed pater de fili morte, de patris filius. What is the rhetorical effect of Cicero’s chosen design?
- What are the means by which Cicero generates pathos?