Latest / The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep1067: The Defeat of Verres Through Storytelling. Guest Author: Josiah Osgood. In 70 BCE, Cicero prosecuted Verres in a trial that showc
The Defeat of Verres Through Storytelling. Guest Author: Josiah Osgood. In 70 BCE, Cicero prosecuted Verres in a trial that showcased his masterful use of storytelling and emotional appeal. Rather than overwhelming the jury with complex financial data about embezzlement, Cicero created a vivid image of Verres as a negligent leader. He recounted how Verres ignored his duties during a pirate raid on Syracuse, choosing instead to party with local women in seaside tents. This narrative portrayed Verres as living large at the expense of the Roman citizens he was meant to defend. Overwhelmed by the…
The skinny
The skinny isn't ready yet — notes appear once the transcript is processed.