The Corruption In Cicero's Trial Of Verres

Cicero's opening speech in the 'Trial of Verres' is focused on the failings of Gaius Verres as he rose up in the Roman political system to the level of governor, and his subsequent attempts to corrupt the court system in order to be acquitted and avoid a legitimate trial. Cicero doesn't attempt to portray Verres' situation as unique, and states that these acts of corruption and provincial malpractice are rampant throughout the Roman political system. Cicero systematically goes through Verres' misdoings in each of his positions, from abandoning his governor as a Quaestor, through to plundering households and cities as a provincial legate in Asia, then stealing from temples and public buildings during his Praetorship in Rome, and finally his great atrocities as a Governor of Sicily, leaving the province in a ruinous state. Following his outline of Verres' crimes, he moves on to how he has tried to avoid prosecution through corruption of the judges, and attempts to hinder court proceedings.

In the position of Quaestor, the Trial of Verres reveals how provincial malpractice
He robbed farmers, and cancelled inheritances, redirecting funds to himself. He treated his allies like enemies and let his ports go to ruin. Cicero lists all of his great atrocities, and exposes the fact that during his three years of absolute malpractice in Sicily, no-one rose up against him and he was never taken from his position by the Senate. The fact that this could occur in a province, devastating the lives of thousands of people without anyone stopping him, shows that there were huge holes in the Roman political system that allowed malpractice to