In his work Brutus (or De claris oratoribus), Cicero actually mentions two different men named Sicinius: a Gnaeus Sicinius (at section 216-217) and a Gaius Sicinius (at section 263). [1, 2, 3]
Because your query specifically asks about Gnaeus, it refers to the famous comic anecdote in section 216–217 where Sicinius uses his wit to mock two consuls. Both the original Latin text and its English translation for that section are provided below, followed by the text for Gaius Sicinius just in case. [1, 2]
Gnaeus Sicinius (Brutus, 216–217)
Cicero introduces Gnaeus Sicinius as a coarse but incredibly humorous man who used a memorable joke while serving as tribune of the plebs. [1, 2]
Latin Text
[216] ... Accedebat ut inveniebat hilare eodemque vultu; deinde ridebatur cum severe dixerat aliquid, tunc cum iocose; non solum insolentes, sed etiam boni scriptores putabantur. Ad eandem sententiam fuit etiam Cn. Sicini iocus, convicioris hominis probe, sed in illo genere dicendi multum tamen facetiarum; quod crimen solum commendabat illum ad dicendum oratorem.[217] Qui cum tribunus plebis consules Curionem et Octavium produxisset in contionem, et cum Curio multa dixisset sedente Cn. Octavio collega, qui erat palliatus et multis medicamentis propter dolorem artuum delinitus, 'numquam' inquit 'toti, Octavi, collegae tuo gratiam referes; qui nisi se hodie hic iactavisset, te hodie istic muscae comedissent.' [1, 2]
English Translation
[216] ...To the same purpose was the jest of Cn. Sicinius, a very vulgar sort of man, but exceedingly humorous, which was the only qualification he had to recommend him as an orator.[1]
Alternative: Gaius Sicinius (Brutus, 263) [1]
If your source or assignment mixed up the first names, Cicero also briefly profiles a highly technical contemporary orator named Gaius Sicinius. [1]
Latin Text
[263] C. Sicinius igitur Q. Pompei illius, qui censor fuit, ex filia nepos quaestorius mortuus est; probabilis orator, iam vero etiam probatus, ex hac inopi ad ornandum, sed ad inveniendum expedita Hermagorae disciplina... [1]
English Translation
If you are working on a specific text translation or research paper, let me know:Do you need grammatical breakdowns of any specific phrases from the Latin text?Would you like more historical context about the consuls Curio and Octavius?In section 263, Cicero notes that C. Sicinius, grandson of the censor Q. Pompeius, was a orator of some merit who studied under Hermagoras. [1]


No comments:
Post a Comment