Section 31
Original Latin
qua re conservate, iudices, hominem pudore eo quem amicorum videtis comprobari cum dignitate, tum etiam vetustate, ingenio autem tanto quantum id convenit existimari, quod summorum hominum iudiciis expetitum esse videatis, causa vero eius modi quae beneficio legis, auctoritate municipi, testimonio Luculli, tabulis Metelli comprobetur. quae cum ita sint, petimus a vobis, iudices, si qua non modo humana verum etiam divina in tantis ingeniis commendatio debet esse, ut eum qui vos, qui vestros imperatores, qui populi Romani res gestas semper ornavit, qui etiam his recentibus nostris vestrisque domesticis periculis aeternum se testimonium laudis daturum esse profitetur, quique est [ex] eo numero qui semper apud omnis sancti sunt habiti itaque dicti, sic in vestram accipiatis fidem ut humanitate vestra levatus potius quam acerbitate violatus esse videatur.
Musean translation
Complete machine-assisted Musean translation made directly from the Latin in Clark’s 1911 edition; source-language model review recorded. Perseus transcription: CC BY-SA 4.0, credited to the Perseus Project, Tufts University.
Therefore, judges, preserve this man. You see his modest character confirmed by the distinction of his friends and the long duration of their friendship; you should esteem his talent as highly as a gift deserves that you see sought out by the judgment of the greatest men. His case is established by the provisions of the law, the authority of his town, the testimony of Lucullus, and the records of Metellus. Since this is so, judges, if such great gifts of genius have any claim on our regard, not merely human but divine, we ask you to take him under your care: the man who has always honored you, your commanders, and the achievements of the Roman people; who promises an everlasting record of our glory amid those recent dangers at home that we shared with you; and who belongs to that company who have always, among all peoples, been held and called sacred. Let him appear to have been relieved by your humanity rather than wounded by your severity.
Plain English translation
Complete machine-assisted Plain English translation made independently and directly from the Latin, not from the Musean edition; source-language model review recorded. Perseus transcription: CC BY-SA 4.0, credited to the Perseus Project, Tufts University.
So, judges, protect this man. You can see his decent character confirmed by the high standing of his friends and by how long they have been his friends. You can see that the most distinguished people have sought out his talent. Their judgment should show you how highly to value it yourselves. His legal case is supported by the law’s provisions, his town’s authority, Lucullus’s testimony, and Metellus’s records. Given all this, we ask you, judges, to take him into your protection. If great talent of this kind has any claim to our respect, it is not just a human claim but a divine one too. He has always brought honor to you, your commanders, and what the Roman people have done. He promises to leave a permanent record of praise for what we achieved with you during the recent dangers within our own country. And he belongs to a group that people everywhere have always regarded, and called, sacred. Let your humanity bring him relief, rather than let harshness do him harm.
About this section
Section 31 is part of For Archias the Poet by Marcus Tullius Cicero. This page sets the Latin original beside 2 direct-source translations, so any line can be checked against the source. It is part 31 of 32 in the work, which is kept in the Roman tradition.
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