Great speeches have the capacity to transcend their initial purpose directed at a particular audience. Cicero's speech "Among us you can dwell no longer," is one such speech. The universal values explored, the capacity to persuade through effective techniques and rhetoric and the logic contained, endows eminent speeches such as Cicero's, with enduring quality. The main reason that Cicero's speech is so successful is because he is passionate about it, its purpose is clear and its social relevance engages and challenges the audience.

Cicero's speech was delivered in Rome 63BC, when the republic was threatened by Catiline and his conspiracy troops. Catiline had previously failed to obtain consulship legally - he was beaten by Cicero - so he decided to mobilise forces and try to seize power by force of arms. At this time and place - 63BC, Rome - patriotism and belief in protectorate gods were firmly...