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Primary sourceSpeech46 BC

Pro Ligario

Cicero · 46 BC

Cicero's courtroom speech defending Quintus Ligarius, pleaded before Caesar as sole judge in 46 BC, showing Caesar's clemency and his personal control over Roman justice.

Caesar personally judged this case and pardoned the defendant, showing his power as sole arbiter of Roman justice.

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A manuscript page with hand-lettered Latin text in brown ink on vellum, headed 'PRO Q. LIGARIO AD C. CAESAREM' with a large illuminated initial N in pink, blue and gold decorated with foliage in the margin. Page number xi is at top right.
Copy of Cicero's Pro Ligario in a 15th-century Italian codex.

About this source

What it is

This is a speech delivered by Cicero in 46 BC, defending Quintus Ligarius, who was accused of having opposed Caesar during the civil war in Africa. The trial was held before Caesar himself as judge. The pictured manuscript page is a 15th-century copy of the speech, not the original.

Why it matters

According to later accounts, Cicero's emotional appeal for mercy moved Caesar so much that he pardoned Ligarius. The episode shows Caesar acting as sole judge over Roman citizens, a striking sign of how power had shifted to one man. Ironically, Ligarius later joined the conspiracy that killed Caesar.

Look closer

  • What does it mean that one man, Caesar, could decide the fate of a Roman citizen on trial?
  • Why might Cicero have appealed to mercy rather than arguing the facts of the case?
  • How does the later history of Ligarius change how we read this speech?

This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Julius Caesar and Cicero on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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