Chapter 2, In Verrum II.5 Summary and Analysis

In Verrum II is the last of the Verrines, the seven forensic (i.e. legal) speeches Cicero wrote against Verres. As noted in the last chapter, Cicero was only able to give the first two speeches (In Verrum I is the second), as the evidence against Verres was so damning that he fled into exile after In Verrum I was given. In Verrum II is a series of five speeches, with the last one, In Verrum II.5, printed here. It is a detailed list of all of Verres's crimes and an assault on any possible defense against them. The speech is very long and Verres's train of abuses appalling.Verres's reputation for great military genius might spare him. Cicero is going to ruin Verres's military reputation to expose his corruption, along with repeating his crimes...