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I agreed it was all marvellous, though I couldn’t see why it warranted quite such ecstasies of joy.

Cicero said, ‘Bring me the praetors’ lists, quick!’

I went and fetched the schedule of court cases that were due to be heard over the next seven days. Cicero told me to look up when Rufus was next due to appear. I ran my finger down the various courts and cases until I found his name. He was scheduled to begin a prosecution in the constitutional court for bribery in five days’ time.

Cicero said, ‘Who is he prosecuting?’

‘Bestia.’

‘Bestia! That villain!’

Cicero lay back on the couch in his familiar posture when cooking up a scheme, with his hands clasped behind his head, staring at the ceiling. L. Calpurnius Bestia was an old enemy of his, one of Catilina’s tame tribunes, lucky not to have been executed for treason with his five fellow conspirators. Yet here he was, apparently still active in public life, being prosecuted for buying votes during the recent praetorian elections. I wondered what possible interest Bestia could hold for Cicero, and after a long period during which he said nothing, I ventured to ask him.

His voice seemed to come from a long way away, as if I had interrupted him in a dream. ‘I was just thinking,’ he said slowly, ‘that I might offer to defend him.’

V

THE NEXT MORNING, Cicero went to call on Bestia, taking me with him. The old rogue had a house on the Palatine. His expression when Cicero was shown in was comical in its astonishment. He had with him his son Atratinus, a clever lad who had only just donned the toga of manhood and was eager to begin his career. When Cicero announced that he wished to discuss his impending prosecution, Bestia naturally assumed he was about to receive another writ and grew quite menacing. It was only thanks to the intervention of the boy, who was in awe of Cicero, that he was persuaded to sit down and listen to what his distinguished visitor had to say.

Cicero said, ‘I have come here to offer my services in your defence.’

Bestia gaped at him. ‘And why in the name of the gods would you do that?’

‘I have undertaken later in the month to appear on behalf of Publius Sestius. Is it true that you saved his life during the fighting in the Forum when I was in exile?’

‘I did.’

‘Well then, Bestia, chance for once throws us on the same side. If I appear for you, I can describe the incident at great length and that will help me lay the ground for Sestius’s defence, which will be heard by the same court. Who are your other advocates?’

‘Herennius Balbus to open, and then my son here to follow.’

‘Good. Then with your agreement I’ll speak third and do the winding-up – my usual preference. I’ll put on a good show, don’t worry. We should have the whole thing wrapped up in a day or two.’

Bestia by this time had moved from an attitude of deep suspicion to one of hardly being able to believe his luck that the greatest advocate in Rome was willing to speak on his behalf. And when Cicero strolled into court a couple of days later, his appearance provoked gasps of surprise. Rufus in particular was stunned. The very fact that Cicero, of all people – whom Bestia had once plotted to murder – should now appear as his supporter more or less guaranteed his acquittal. And so it proved. Cicero made an eloquent speech, the jury voted, and Bestia was found not guilty.

As the court was rising, Rufus came over to Cicero. For once his normal charm was gone. He had been counting on an easy victory; instead his career had been checked. He said bitterly, ‘Well I hope you’re satisfied, although such a triumph brings you nothing but dishonour.’

‘My dear Rufus,’ replied Cicero, ‘have you learnt nothing? There is no more honour in a legal dispute than there is in a wrestling match.’

‘What I’ve learnt, Cicero, is that you still bear me a grudge and will stop at nothing to gain revenge on your enemies.’

‘Oh my dear, poor boy, I don’t regard you as my enemy. You’re not important enough. I have bigger fish to catch.’

That really infuriated Rufus. He said, ‘Well, you can tell your client that as he insists on continuing as a candidate, I shall bring a second charge against him tomorrow – and the next time you rise in his defence, if you dare, I give you fair warning: I shall be waiting for you!’

He was as good as his word: very soon afterwards, Bestia and his son brought the new writ round to show Cicero. Bestia said hopefully, ‘You’ll defend me again, I hope?’

‘Oh no, that would be very foolish. One can’t spring the same surprise twice. No, I’m afraid I can’t be your advocate again.’

‘So what’s to be done?’

‘Well, I can tell you what I’d do in your place.’

‘And what’s that?’

‘I’d lay a counter-suit against him.’

‘For what?’

‘Political violence. That takes precedence over bribery cases. Therefore you’ll have the advantage of putting him on trial first, before he can get you into court.’