Cicero, the Elder Curio, and the Titinia Case

Abstract

Twice in his rhetorical treatises (Brutus 217; Orator 129) Cicero makes reference to the trial of Titinia Cottae1), in which trial Cicero, who spoke in Titinia's behalf, won a resounding victory over no less a figure than C. Scribonius Curio (cos. 76 B.C.)2). While next to nothing is known of the case3), Cicero clearly took considerable pride in his success, so much so that at Orat. 129 he treated his speech pro Titinia as comparable to his prosecution of