Head of Timoleon (detail), by Italian artist Giuseppe Patania (1780-1852). Plutarch (?45-120), reflecting that ‘not only all larks must grow a crest, but every democracy a false accuser’, recorded that not long after Timoleon had liberated Syracuse from Dionysius II’s dictatorship a popular politician named Laphystius summoned the liberator before a court. The public were outraged on Timoleon’s behalf, and rose up in his defence; but Timoleon reassured them, saying that equality before the law was fundamental to democracy. Demaenetus was another popular figure in Syracuse, who publicly accused Timoleon of misconduct on the battlefield; Timoleon replied in the same fashion, saying that the right of free speech was the very thing he had spent eight years fighting for.
Introduction
In one of their ‘Cato Letters’ (1720-23), John Trenchard MP and Thomas Gordon praised Roman Emperors Nerva and Trajan for dismissing the spies and informers hitherto used to gag critics of State policy; and they recalled how Timoleon, the Greek general who toppled dictators for a living, had never felt more proud than when the Opposition slandered him in Parliament.
THE best Princes have ever encouraged and promoted Freedom of Speech; they know that upright Measures would defend themselves, and that all upright Men would defend them. Tacitus, speaking of the Reign of some of the Princes above mention’d, says with Extasy: A blessed Time, when you might think what you would, and speak what you thought.*
The same was the Opinion and Practice of the wise and virtuous Timoleon, the Deliverer of the great City of Syracuse from Slavery.* He being accused by Demaenetus,* a popular Orator, in a full Assembly of the People of Several Misdemeanors committed by him while he was General, gave no other Answer, than that He was highly obliged to the gods for granting him a Request that he had often made to them, namely, that he might live to see the Syracusians enjoy that Liberty of Speech which they now seem’d to be Masters of.
Abridged, original spelling
Abridged (preserving the original spelling) from ‘Cato’s Letters’ Vol. I (1724) by John Trenchard MP (1662-1723) and Thomas Gordon (?-1750). Additional information from
‘Tacitus: Histories and Annals’ Volume 3 (1962) translated by Clifford H. Moore,
and ‘Plutarch’s Lives: Dion & Brutus, Timoleon & Aemilius Paulus’ Volume 6 (1962) translated by Bernadotte Perrin.
* These words come from the opening lines of Tacitus’s Histories, I.i, where he explains that he will write about the controversial Emperors now, “because of the rare good fortune of an age in which we may feel what we wish and may say what we feel.” He would save the placid reigns of Nerva (r. 96-98) and the current Emperor, Trajan (r. 98-117), for later on, he said, just in case he needed some light, uncontroversial material to write about under another Nero. Tacitus lived to see the reign of Hadrian (r. 117-138).
* Timoleon (?411–337 BC) unseated Dionysius II of Syracuse (r. ?367-345 BC) in 345 BC. Timoleon was a Corinthian general who dedicated his life to toppling tyrants, a term which in those days implied power concentrated in one man’s hands rather than raging violence. That said, Dionysius was not unusual in maintaining his position by mercenary forces and by suppressing vocal opposition. Timoleon retired from politics in 337 BC and died soon afterwards, having put down several other petty tyrants in the region and rebuffed a Carthaginian army in 341 BC. The people of Syracuse loved him, and gave him a grand funeral. Dionysius’s father Dionysius I (r. 405-367 BC) was the ruler who was so impressed by the friendship of Damon and Pythias.
* Trenchard is paraphrasing Plutarch’s Timoleon 37 here; Plutarch names a second critic as Laphystius.
Questions for Critics
1. What are the authors aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the authors communicate their ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Précis
In the ‘Cato Letters’, written in George I’s time, John Trenchard and Thomas Gibson agreed with Tacitus that free speech was the mark of a golden age. The best Roman Emperors fostered it, and after ousting the dictator of Syracuse Timoleon had borne slanderous accusations good-humouredly, remarking that Syracuse’s politicians could not have criticised the previous regime like that. (59 / 60 words)
In the ‘Cato Letters’, written in George I’s time, John Trenchard and Thomas Gibson agreed with Tacitus that free speech was the mark of a golden age. The best Roman Emperors fostered it, and after ousting the dictator of Syracuse Timoleon had borne slanderous accusations good-humouredly, remarking that Syracuse’s politicians could not have criticised the previous regime like that.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, because, besides, despite, just, or, since, who.
About the Authors
John Trenchard (1662-1723) was a barrister and MP for Taunton, remembered today for his partnership with his secretary Thomas Gordon (?-1750). In 1720-23, the two men published a series of outspoken letters in the British press, criticising the government of George I for misuse of public funds, abuse of patronage, meddling in the lives of citizens, and destroying the prosperity of the nation by military interventions. The letters, signed ‘Cato’ in reference to the vocal critic of Roman dictator Julius Caesar, were popular in Britain and also in America, where they were quoted by leading figures in the American independence movement.
Archive
Word Games
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Best. Man. While.
2 High. Speech. Time.
3 He. Misdemeanor. Practice.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Opposites Find in Think and Speak
Suggest words or phrases that seem opposite in meaning to each of the words below. We have suggested some possible answers; see if you can find any others.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1.
Best.
2.
Better.
3.
Blessing.
4.
Encourage.
5.
General.
6.
Give.
7.
Know.
8.
Popular.
9.
Prince.
Variations: 1.instead of opposites, suggest words of similar meaning (synonyms). 2.use a word and its opposite in the same sentence. 3.suggest any 5 opposites formed by adding dis-.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
dvs (5+1)
advise. devious. devise. dives. doves.
divas.
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