9. Study Questions Copy
We suggest that you try to answer the study questions before viewing the answers (answers to questions 1, 2 and 5 can be seen by clicking on the numbers below).
1. Who is Cicero addressing in the first line?
2. Bearing in mind what this case is actually all about (the alleged poisoning of Oppianicus by his son-in-law, Cluentius), why is Cicero so keen to show what a dreadful person Oppianicus was?
3. Make sure that you are familiar with the family tree of Dinaea and her relationship to Oppianicus the Elder.
4. bello italico. This is also known as the Social War. Here is a brief contextual summary. Read, and make appropriate notes on this, so you can understand the tumultuous effect it had on Italian society:
http://www.historyofwar.org/articles/wars_italian_social_war.html
5. In this section, how is Dinaea being contrasted with Sassia?
Answers
The jurors.
By attacking Oppianicus’ reputation, he is attempting to show the good character of Cluentius, and thus showing that the charges against him must be ludicrous.
Cicero strives to condemn Sassia as someone who behaves appallingly towards her daughter (and later her son), whilst Dinaea is portrayed as someone who desperately cares about her children, having lost them all but then may have one of her sons come back to her.
