1For these reasons I have come forward as advocate in this case, not chosen as the one who could speak with the greatest talent, but left over from them all as the one who could speak with the least danger, and not so that Sextus Roscius might be defended with a sufficiently strong protection, but so that he might not be wholly deserted. 1Perhaps you ask what this terror is, and what fear so great, that hinders so many men of such quality from being willing to plead, as they are accustomed to, for the life and fortunes of another. 1It is no wonder that you are still unaware of this, because the accusers have deliberately made no mention of the matter which has brought about this trial.
6What is that matter? 6The property of the father of Sextus Roscius here, which is worth six million sesterces, which a young man who is perhaps the most powerful in our state at this time, Lucius Cornelius Chrysogonus, says he bought for two thousand sesterces from that most gallant and illustrious man Lucius Sulla, whom I name with respect. 6He demands this of you, judges: that, since he has without any right seized upon another man's fortune so ample and splendid, and since the life of Sextus Roscius seems to stand in the way of that fortune and to obstruct it, you should erase every suspicion from his mind and remove his fear; 6while this man is unharmed he does not think he can keep the patrimony, so large and rich, of this innocent man, but once he is condemned and banished he hopes that he can squander and consume in extravagance what he has gained through crime.
6He demands that you pluck out of his mind this worry which goads and pricks him day and night, so that you may declare yourselves his helpers towards this wicked plunder of his. 7If this seems to you a fair and honourable demand, judges, I for my part bring a brief demand against it and, as I persuade myself, a considerably fairer one.