Publius Rutilius Rufus was a Roman statesman, orator, and writer who lived during the late Roman Republic. He was born in 158 BC in the city of Praeneste (modern-day Palestrina, Italy) and died around 77 BC.
Rufus was known for his eloquence and his writings, which were highly regarded in his time. In this article, we will explore the literary works of Publius Rutilius Rufus, his biography, and his influence on Roman history.
Literary Works of Publius Rutilius Rufus
Publius Rutilius Rufus was a prolific writer, and his works covered a wide range of topics. Unfortunately, most of his writings have been lost over time, and only a few fragments of his works have survived.
However, we do have some information about his literary works from the writings of other ancient authors.
One of Rufus’ most famous works was his oration in defense of himself against charges of extortion. This speech was delivered in 92 BC, and it is considered one of the best examples of Roman oratory.
The speech was so powerful that it convinced the jury to acquit Rufus of all charges.
Rufus also wrote a number of historical works, including a history of Rome in seven books. Unfortunately, this work has been lost, and we only have fragments of it. Rufus’ history of Rome was highly regarded in his time, and it was used as a source by later historians.
Another work by Rufus was a treatise on agriculture, which was titled “De Re Rustica.” This work was written in the form of a letter to his friend, Marcus Porcius Cato.
The treatise covered a wide range of topics related to agriculture, including the cultivation of crops, the care of livestock, and the management of farm labor. This work was highly regarded in ancient Rome, and it was used as a source by later writers on agriculture.
Biography of Publius Rutilius Rufus
Publius Rutilius Rufus was born into a wealthy family in Praeneste. He received an excellent education and was trained in the art of oratory by the famous Roman orator, Marcus Antonius.
Rufus began his political career as a quaestor in 126 BC, and he went on to hold a number of other important positions in the Roman government.
In 92 BC, Rufus was accused of extortion while serving as governor of Asia. He was brought to trial, and he delivered his famous speech in his own defense. The speech was so powerful that it convinced the jury to acquit him of all charges.
However, Rufus was so disgusted by the corruption and injustice of the Roman legal system that he decided to retire from public life and live in exile.
Rufus spent the rest of his life in exile in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey). He continued to write during his exile, and he maintained contact with his friends and supporters in Rome. Rufus died around 77 BC, and he was buried in Smyrna.
Influence on Roman History
Publius Rutilius Rufus was a highly respected figure in ancient Rome, and his writings had a significant influence on Roman history. Rufus was known for his eloquence and his commitment to justice, and he was admired by many of his contemporaries.
Rufus’ oration in defense of himself against charges of extortion was a landmark moment in Roman history. The speech was so powerful that it convinced the jury to acquit Rufus of all charges, and it set a precedent for future trials.
Rufus’ speech was also an important example of Roman oratory, and it was studied by later generations of Roman orators.
Rufus’ history of Rome was also an important work, and it was used as a source by later historians. Unfortunately, most of the work has been lost, and we only have fragments of it.
However, the fragments that have survived give us some insight into Rufus’ approach to history and his views on Roman society.
Rufus’ treatise on agriculture was also an important work, and it was used as a source by later writers on agriculture. The treatise covered a wide range of topics related to agriculture, and it was highly regarded in ancient Rome.
Conclusion
Publius Rutilius Rufus was a highly respected figure in ancient Rome, and his writings had a significant influence on Roman history. Rufus was known for his eloquence and his commitment to justice, and he was admired by many of his contemporaries.
Although most of his writings have been lost over time, the fragments that have survived give us some insight into his approach to history, agriculture, and oratory.
Rufus’ oration in defense of himself against charges of extortion was a landmark moment in Roman history, and his history of Rome and treatise on agriculture were highly regarded in ancient Rome.
Overall, Publius Rutilius Rufus was an important figure in Roman history, and his legacy continues to be felt today.
FAQs
1. Who was Publius Rutilius Rufus? Publius Rutilius Rufus was a prominent Roman statesman, orator, and writer who lived during the late Roman Republic. Born in 158 BC in the city of Praeneste (modern-day Palestrina, Italy), Rufus was known for his eloquence, intellect, and commitment to justice.
2. What were some of Rufus’s literary works? Rufus was a prolific writer, although unfortunately, most of his works have been lost over time. However, some information about his literary output survives through the writings of other ancient authors. One of his most famous works was his oration in defense of himself against charges of extortion, delivered in 92 BC. He also wrote a history of Rome in seven books, a treatise on agriculture titled “De Re Rustica,” and various other historical and philosophical works.
3. What was Rufus’s oration in defense of himself about? In 92 BC, Rufus was accused of extortion while serving as governor of Asia. He stood trial and delivered a powerful speech in his own defense, which ultimately persuaded the jury to acquit him of all charges. This speech is considered one of the best examples of Roman oratory and a landmark moment in Roman legal history.
4. What was Rufus’s political career like? Rufus began his political career as a quaestor in 126 BC and went on to hold various other important positions in the Roman government. Despite his talents and achievements, his career was marred by the accusation of extortion, which ultimately led to his retirement from public life and exile.
5. Where did Rufus spend his exile? Following his acquittal, Rufus, disillusioned by the corruption within the Roman legal system, chose to retire from public life and live in exile. He spent the remainder of his life in Smyrna (modern-day Izmir, Turkey), where he continued to write and maintain contact with his friends and supporters in Rome.
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