Verres
(Caius Verres)
120–43 BC
 |
| AT DINNER WITH THE ROMAN GOVERNOR OF SICILY |
Verres was a Roman magistrate whose corruption was notorious, even in an age when corruption among
Roman officials was the norm. He became governor of Sicily through bribery in 73
B.
C. after he had
already completed a thirteen year career of corruption, extortion, and betrayal in Asia Minor. In
three years he reduced the prosperous island to near destitution through ruinous taxation,
extortion, utter neglect of infrastructure, and outright theft of private houses and public works of
art. The rights of the Roman citizens were completely disregarded, and Verres used his immense
gains to bribe other government agents to look the other way.
After three years he was recalled to
Rome and put on trial for corruption, but he had so generously bribed hundreds of senators, that he
expected to be acquitted. He was prosecuted by Cicero, who urgently persuaded the jurors that the
very integrity of the republic was at stake. Verres was so shaken by his ardent prosecution, that
he fled from Italy before the trial was over. He lived prosperously in exile until 43 B.C., when he
was proscribed by Antony, because of a dispute over some art treasures that Anthony coveted.
Key events during the life of Verres:
| Year |
Event |
| 86 BC |
Quaestor in wealthy province of Asia. |
| 83 BC |
Embezzled funds from quaestorship and joined Sulla's party under Cornelius Dolabella. |
| 77 BC |
Secured a pardon for his own graft by testifying at corruption trial of Dolabella. |
| 74 BC |
Used bribery to secure a praetorship in Rome. |
| 73 BC |
Sent as governor to Sicily, the richest Roman province. |
| |
Plundered, extorted, taxed, robbed, and ruined Sicily, in a frenzy of unsurpassed corruption. |
| 70 BC |
Brought to trial by Cicero. Fled to Massilia before the trial finished, having failed in his efforts to bribe the judges. |
| 43 BC |
Proscribed by Antony, for his refusal to surrender some art treasures which Antony desired. |
Other Resources
| Contemporary |
Short Biography |
| Cicero |
Orator. Leader of aristocratic party. Put down Catiline conspiracy. Well known writer. |
| Q. Hortensius |
Defended Verres on corruption charge. |
| Cornelius Dolabella |
Governor who, with Verres's aid, plundered Cilicia; Verres testified against him. |