DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70030#0066
CICERO. [ITALY,
rage, and his humanity. He thought it prudent, however,
to avoid the resentment of the all-powerfu] dictator; and
retired to Athens. During two years residence there,
he assiduously cultivated the society of the learned, phi-
losophers, and orators: he even penetrated into Asia, in
the pursuit of knowledge. Apollonius Molo, a celebrated
orator, of Rhodes, who was ignorant of the language of
Rome, requested him to deliver a declamation in Greek-
this was a name usually given to the speeches made in ima-
ginary causes, by the young men who were preparing for
the bar. When Cicero had finished his argument, those
who were present paid him the highest compliments;
Apollonius alone remained silent and pensive. When
Cicero demanded the reason, he replied, “ I give thee
every praise, nay more, thou hast excited my admiration;
but, I cannot help lamenting the peculiar fate of un-
happy Greece. Learning and eloquence were all that
remained of our former glory; these thou hast also con-
quered, and they are henceforth to honour the Romans.”
Upon the death of Sylla, Cicero returned to Rome,
where, at first, he did not attain any high reputation;
he was distinguished only by the name of The Greek, or,
The Scholar; but, when he began to plead causes, he
soon acquired the highest pitch of celebrity and renown.
He was chosen quaestor, and obtained the government
of Sicily, generally called the Granary of Italy, at a time
when Rome was distressed for corn. He sent the ne-
cessary supplies, but without injuring his province,
which he governed with justice and kindness. He was
next appointed JEdile. Verres, who had preceded him
in the government of Sicily, had exhausted that pro-
vince by his enormous exactions. The Sicilians accused
him, but he had bribed the judges who were to try the
rage, and his humanity. He thought it prudent, however,
to avoid the resentment of the all-powerfu] dictator; and
retired to Athens. During two years residence there,
he assiduously cultivated the society of the learned, phi-
losophers, and orators: he even penetrated into Asia, in
the pursuit of knowledge. Apollonius Molo, a celebrated
orator, of Rhodes, who was ignorant of the language of
Rome, requested him to deliver a declamation in Greek-
this was a name usually given to the speeches made in ima-
ginary causes, by the young men who were preparing for
the bar. When Cicero had finished his argument, those
who were present paid him the highest compliments;
Apollonius alone remained silent and pensive. When
Cicero demanded the reason, he replied, “ I give thee
every praise, nay more, thou hast excited my admiration;
but, I cannot help lamenting the peculiar fate of un-
happy Greece. Learning and eloquence were all that
remained of our former glory; these thou hast also con-
quered, and they are henceforth to honour the Romans.”
Upon the death of Sylla, Cicero returned to Rome,
where, at first, he did not attain any high reputation;
he was distinguished only by the name of The Greek, or,
The Scholar; but, when he began to plead causes, he
soon acquired the highest pitch of celebrity and renown.
He was chosen quaestor, and obtained the government
of Sicily, generally called the Granary of Italy, at a time
when Rome was distressed for corn. He sent the ne-
cessary supplies, but without injuring his province,
which he governed with justice and kindness. He was
next appointed JEdile. Verres, who had preceded him
in the government of Sicily, had exhausted that pro-
vince by his enormous exactions. The Sicilians accused
him, but he had bribed the judges who were to try the