Perspective

The book has two perspectives, one major and one minor. The minor perspective is that of the translator and commentator, D.H. Berry. At the beginning of each section of speeches, Barry gives a measured, lengthy and impartial summary of what historians know about the situations surrounding Cicero's speeches. He also gives detailed character sketches and reports on various theories concerning events that we have little information one. The major perspective, however, is Cicero's. Cicero gives all nine speeches that comprise the book. Each speech has a different purpose and so has a different perspective, particularly as they range over Cicero's entire political career. The first two speeches are aimed at the conviction of Verres, the next at the retention of Pompey as general. They are attempts to make Verres look as bad as possible and contain various insults of Verres alongside Cicero's ample evidence of Verres's guilt...