1There are three things, as far as I can judge, which stand in the way of Sextus Roscius at this time: the charge brought by his opponents, their recklessness and their power. 1The fabrication of the charge the accuser Erucius has undertaken, the part of recklessness the Roscii have claimed for themselves, while Chrysogonus, the man who has the most power, fights with power. 1I realise that I must speak about all these things. 1What, then? 36Not in the same way about all, because the first of them belongs to my duty, while the other two the Roman people has laid upon you; 36I must wash away the charge, while you ought both to resist recklessness and at the earliest opportunity to extinguish and crush the ruinous and intolerable power of men of this kind.
37Sextus Roscius is accused of having killed his father. 37A wicked deed, immortal gods! 37and an impious crime, and of such a kind that in this single misdeed all crimes seem to be contained! 37For if, as is admirably said by the wise, filial duty is often wounded by a look, what punishment will be found harsh enough against one who has brought death on his parent? 37for whom laws divine and human compelled him to die himself, if the situation demanded it. 38In so great, so atrocious, so singular a misdeed, which has occurred so rarely that, if ever it has been heard of, it is reckoned like a portent and prodigy, what arguments, pray, Gaius Erucius, do you think an accuser ought to use?
38ought he not to show both the singular recklessness of the man who is called to account, and his savage character and monstrous nature, and a life given over to every vice and outrage, in short everything abandoned and lost to ruin? 38Not one of these things have you brought against Sextus Roscius, not even for the sake of a reproach.