Chapter 40: The Opening of the Court
Chapter 40: The Opening of the Court
Lucius reported to Verres what he had learned from the pirates.
He questioned why their leader hadn't come in person and was told it might be due to having stepped on a tail.
As evidence, they presented a piece of cloth cut from the toga that Cicero had worn. Only senators in the curia had the privilege of decorating their togas with crimson cloth.
Lucius concluded that there was no room for doubt and accepted their report. However, he instructed that Cicero should return to Rome by July to participate in the election, as his absence would cause complications.
“Phew, I can finally breathe a sigh of relief.”
Lucius was unsure how much Cicero had investigated in Syracuse and Messana, but he doubted it was enough to win the trial. Even if Cicero lost, the claim for 40 million sesterces would likely be dismissed.
In Rome, nobles expected to receive bribes when they became governors, and those who did not were considered anomalies. A few pieces of evidence would not sway the noble jurors.
Lucius was able to relax for the first time in a long time. Thus, Marcus could roam Sicily freely without detection. He remained cautious, carefully approaching witnesses and securing evidence, and completed his preparations by early June.
Marcus rented a ship, secretly loaded all the witnesses and evidence, and left Sicily. Upon arriving at the port of Ostia, there was still ample time before the election.
“I owe you a huge debt for this.”
Cicero sincerely thanked the much younger Marcus.
“I understand why you are so favored by the current consuls. If you need help later, just let me know. I’ll do my best.”
“Your words alone are thanks enough. But if you win the trial, that would be reward enough for me. Please ensure I see justice upheld.”
“Yes, yes. Of course. You should also come and watch the trial. Hortensius may be known as Rome’s best lawyer, but I am confident my eloquence surpasses his. When I was younger, parents came to school just to hear my arguments.”
“Oh… is that so? You must have been exceptional from a young age.”
“Haha, you understand quickly, unlike many young people these days. You remind me of my younger self. By the way, when I was young…”
Cicero had a tendency to praise himself. When Marcus engaged with his stories, Cicero became animated, recounting his early days in Rome and his impressive speeches in the Senate.
An hour later, Marcus finally managed to escape Cicero’s boasting.
The July election proceeded as expected, without surprises.
The election of Rome’s high-ranking officials, known as the centuriate assembly, differed from modern methods. Unlike modern voting, where everyone’s vote is equal, in Rome, the value of a vote depended on property.
Rome divided citizens into 193 groups based on their property, with wealthier classes having fewer representatives. The candidate receiving more support from the wealthier groups had an advantage.
The system resembled the U.S. electoral college but was skewed by property distribution. Nobles and knights, who made up a significant portion of the electorate, favored policies benefiting the wealthy. This electoral system gave candidates supported by the Senate an edge.
The tribal assembly, which elected censors and quaestors, was somewhat fairer. It divided citizens by tribes and elected candidates by majority vote within each tribe.
Verres was only concerned with the centuriate assembly’s results. Fortunately, Hortensius and Quintus were elected as praetors, and Quintus’s brother was elected as aedile, easing Verres’s remaining anxieties.
“Hahaha, you all did a great job. Things are going so well, it’s almost unbelievable.”
“It was almost certain that Quintus and I would be elected as praetors from the start. With one additional aedile seat, there’s no risk of losing if the trial is delayed until next year.”
“It would be the same even if the trial were held this year. Cicero must have failed to gather sufficient evidence.”
Verres sneered as he reviewed the election results.
“Did he give up because he knew it was pointless to argue? He must be quite rational for a young man. I expected him to be furious and complain.”
Hortensius raised an eyebrow.
“Argue? About what? Interfering with evidence collection? He probably anticipated that and chose not to waste his energy.”
“Well, you’re right. I thought he would be angrier. Maybe he resigned himself to the futility of arguing.”
“What exactly did you do to interfere with evidence collection? It could be problematic if it gets out.”
“Don’t worry. There’s no evidence linking me to it.”
Hortensius accepted Verres’s assurance and continued scanning the list of elected officials.
“Julius Caesar was elected as quaestor with the most votes. He was quite impressive in his arguments.”
Verres frowned at the mention of Caesar.
“Do you know him?”
“Not really, but I saw him as a lawyer in a trial before. He lost, but his logical arguments were impressive.”
“Ha, what logic can a beggar have?”
“Do you have a grudge against him?”
Hortensius’s question prompted an angry response from Verres.
“Don’t you know? Many senators' wives had affairs with him. Even Quintus’s wife was rumored to have been involved with Caesar recently. There’s also gossip that Lucius’s wife was with Caesar while Lucius was in Sicily.”
“Hehe… I didn’t know that.”
“You should keep an eye on your wife. They say he has a thing for cultured married women.”
Verres did not directly mention that his own wife had also been unfaithful, but he would have divorced her if not for the Metellus family connection. For now, he could only seethe at Caesar’s audacity.
Thus, Caesar was seen as a debt-ridden troublemaker by the senators, though Marcus understood the real danger he posed.
When Cicero made no move by the end of July, Verres assumed he had given up.
He expected Cicero to offer to drop the prosecution when requesting a meeting with Aedile Glabrio. Instead, Cicero surprised everyone with his resolve.
“I have completed all preparations to prosecute Gaius Verres. I request that you set a trial date as soon as possible.”
The senators were stunned, alternating their gaze between Verres and Cicero. Verres, momentarily flustered, assumed Cicero was bluffing.
‘Is he trying to settle for a small fine? How pitiful.’
Verres responded calmly, expressing his readiness to participate in the trial. Hortensius also assured that the defense team was prepared.
With both sides in agreement, Glabrio decided to hold the trial within a month. The news spread quickly through Rome.
This trial was expected to be the most significant in Roman history, with Cicero’s supporters spreading favorable messages.
“If Verres loses, Cicero, who will be a censor next year, might bring down the price of wheat.”
“Yes, he promised that to the Sicilian people.”
“Really? But can he win? Verres’s lawyer is Hortensius.”
“That’s why we need to support Cicero. If the citizens unite behind him, perhaps the jurors will be swayed.”
The trial’s impact on wheat prices and the underdog struggle garnered sympathy and heightened public interest.
Marcus aimed to elevate the trial’s significance to unprecedented levels. Cicero thrived on public attention and performed better under the spotlight, deliberately appearing in crowded areas to receive cheers.
Finally, the first trial day arrived, and the court was packed with spectators, leaving no space to step. Marcus observed the crowd, noting the presence of plebeians, wealthy knights, and nobles, all keenly watching.
Danae, standing behind Marcus, noticed the charged atmosphere and expressed concern.
“It’s so intense. What if there’s a riot if Cicero loses?”
“It’s okay. That won’t happen.”
“Do you mean there won’t be a riot even if he loses? Or that he won’t lose…?”
“You’ll see. By the way, we have one more friend joining us.”
A man approached through the crowd, wearing an elaborate toga. Danae greeted him warmly.
“Caesar, it’s been a while. Congratulations on being elected quaestor.”
“Thank you. You look more beautiful each time I see you.”
“Th-thank you.”
“You could probably form a legion of men wanting to court you by now.”
“Ah…um…that’s too kind.”
Marcus joined in, chuckling.
“Are you trying to charm the creditor’s servant right away?”
“Charm? It’s just sincere praise. And don’t worry, I’m not interested in her right now. Maybe in 15 years or so.”
“Oh, right. I forgot about your taste, Caesar. Danae isn’t married yet.”
Caesar shrugged off Marcus’s comment and sat down next to him.
“What do you think of the trial’s outcome?”
“I think it will be very interesting. I’m scheduled to testify as a witness on the last day of the first trial.”
“A witness? Did one of your clients get robbed by Verres?”
“No, it’s something much more intriguing.”
Before Caesar could ask further, Cicero took the stage with confidence.
The first trial began with the prosecutor's speech, followed by the defense team’s rebuttal, and additional speeches from secondary lawyers. Witness examinations then ensued, with heated debates between the prosecution and defense.
Due to the complex nature of the trial, it could last over ten days. Following a recess, a second trial with a similar structure would take place.
Cicero, with only himself on the prosecution team, proposed a more efficient trial method.
“Honorable Judge Glabrio, I propose a different approach. There is clear evidence and rational reasons for this.”
Hortensius stepped forward.
“What are you suggesting? The trial must follow the standard procedure. I will not accept anything that favors Verres!”
“I’m not suggesting anything unfavorable to Verres. I simply want to streamline the trial. Judge, will you hear my proposal?”
“If it benefits both sides and does not favor one over the other, I will listen.”
Glabrio, fair-minded, was willing to consider Cicero’s proposal.
“First, let’s postpone all unnecessary speeches to the second trial. The current debates interrupt the trial’s flow. With so many witnesses and pieces of evidence, sticking to the existing procedure risks extending the trial for a month.”
“That would be problematic.”
“Yes. As the sole prosecutor, I should not be burdened with lengthy speeches. The defense team will also benefit from fresher speeches during the second trial.”
“There are many charges against Verres. Postponing speeches could clarify each charge. What is the defense team’s stance?”
“Let me think.”
Hortensius pondered Cicero’s proposal, realizing it might work to his advantage too. With more defense lawyers, lengthy speeches could appear tiresome. The final argument of the second trial would be crucial, and a shorter trial might benefit Hortensius.
Agreeing to the proposal would avoid the appearance of limiting defense rights, which could be detrimental to his image.
“It doesn’t seem disadvantageous for the defense. I have no objection.”
“Since both sides agree, the trial will proceed as proposed. Prosecutor, explain the charges against Gaius Verres.”
Cicero took a deep breath, letting the jurors' attention focus on him before beginning his explanation.