ABSTRACT
The vast correspondence allows to Greek and Roman writers follow certain episodes in late Republican history from one well-informed man's perspective, day-by-day, even hour-by-hour, while most of the speeches are themselves acts of late Republican politics. The courts were heavily political; relationships of obligation and friendship were the central structuring motives in Roman political life. Traditionally, Romans won glory and influence by the exercise of military and political virtues. In the late Republic, certain individuals exploited such influence to acquire unprecedented power. For a Roman, housing appropriate to one's station and avoiding luxury as it avoided poverty was a sign and part of a well-ordered whole. Orators also regularly addressed the Roman people, speaking from the rostrum to anyone who happened to be there or to various types of specially convened gathering. Roman audiences were always ready to believe stories about Gallic cruelty and Caesar happily obliges.
