The Pro Archia of Cicero

What is the essence of this court case?

Notice what the introductory remarks call Cicero’s “digression” (6) which has little direct relevance to the actual matter of the case. In what does this digression (10-16) consist? What are the points made in this part of the speech? Would you agree or disagree with any of them? Why? on which merit should Archias be granted citizenship: legal; meritorious. What are the practical points where the study of letters can be useful? (pp. 11, 13) What are the non-practical points? (p. 12, 2nd par.)

What relevance, if any, have you discovered in this reading for the course? Do you see any connections with Bonaventure’s points in his “prologue”?