“Buoni e cattivi esempi”. Cicerone, Cesare e l’ombra di Silla

Abstract

The exemplum, one of the tools of persuasion indicated by ancient rhetoric, is used by Cicero in Caesarian Orations with a careful strategy: the exemplary modeling of Caesar allows to define the boundaries of the correct management of res publica. Therefore, in the Pro Marcello Caesar is already presented as a “visible” exemplum, while in the following Pro Ligario the paradigm of Sulla (i.e. that of a dictator guided by crudelitas) becomes effective in admonishing Caesar from a possible degeneration of power.