In Defense of Tullius

Cicero. M. Tulli Ciceronis Orationes, Volume 6. Clark, Albert Curtis, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1911.

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This work is a court speech delivered by Cicero in defense of the plaintiff, Marcus Tullius, who sought damages against his neighbor, Publius Fabius, for the slaughter of his slaves. The dispute arose from a boundary conflict, culminating in a brutal night attack by Fabius's armed slaves on Tullius's property. Cicero begins by explaining the historical background of the special tribunal established to suppress violence by armed slaves, framing the defendant's actions within this context. He then rigorously refutes the opposing counsel's arguments regarding the legal terminology of "malicious intent" (dolus malus) and "unlawfulness." Finally, by examining ancient laws such as the Twelve Tables and the principles of self-defense, Cicero demonstrates that the defendant's violent assault was an unjustifiable, premeditated attack, thereby securing his client's right to compensation.