Skip to main content

Primary sourceSpeech56 BC

Pro Sestio

Cicero · 56 BC

A speech by Cicero defending his friend Publius Sestius, in which he laid out his political ideas about the optimates and populares.

Cicero's own defence speech, setting out his political vision and his gratitude to his ally Sestius.

Ask Cicero about this sourceView the original(opens in new tab)
Manuscript page numbered 85 in brown ink, handwritten in Latin in dark brown script with a decorated initial letter S in blue, green and gold with foliage. Marginal notes appear in the right margin. The text is a handwritten Latin oration on a cream parchment page.
Copy of Cicero's Pro Sestio, 15th-century Italian manuscript.

About this source

What it is

This speech was delivered by Cicero around 56 BC in defence of his friend Publius Sestius, who was charged with public violence. Sestius had helped bring about Cicero's return from exile. A 15th-century manuscript copy of the speech survives, with decorated initials and marginal notes.

Why it matters

In this speech Cicero set out his idea of

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

More Cicero sources

Meet the AI Cicero →
Manuscript page numbered 169 in Latin, handwritten in brown ink with a decorated illuminated initial letter in the upper left in red, green, and blue with gold accents. The text begins with the opening words of Cicero's first Catilinarian oration, 'Quo usque tandem abutere...'.Speech

Primary source

Catiline Orations

Cicero · 63 BCE

Engraved print of a bust of Marcus Tullius Cicero, shown in three-quarter view facing right. The bust has curly hair, a draped toga over the shoulder, and sits on a round stepped pedestal. Latin caption below reads M. TVLLIVS CICERO, Ex marmore antiquo, with small engraver credits in the bottom corners.Painting

Secondary source

Marcus Tullius Cicero, engraved after antique marble busts

Jan Witdoeck

Open manuscript leaf with illuminated Latin text. A decorated initial at left contains a small painted portrait of a bearded man wearing a crown. Ornamental borders in gold, blue, pink, and green frame the page, with cherubs at the bottom. The Latin text is written in brown ink in a formal script.Book

Primary source

De Officiis

Cicero · 44 BC

Engraved print on cream paper showing an oval cameo portrait in profile of Cicero, a bald-fronted man with curly hair facing left. Below are a label reading CICERO and two Roman coins, with a Latin inscription at the bottom and the number 78.Painting

Secondary source

Portrait of Cicero (Bildnis des Cicero)

Manuscript page of Latin text in dark brown ink on yellowed parchment, with a faded underlying script visible in the lower layer. Stained and darkened areas across the page, a palimpsest with the upper text dominant.Book

Primary source

De re publica

Cicero · c. 54–51 BC

Ready when you are

Start chatting with Cicero now.

20 messages free · No credit card · Available in 50+ languages.

Trial Humy for freeGet a quote for institutions