Exile
58 BC
Publius Clodius Pulcher
Throughout Cicero's political career, Clodius had played a small role. Clodius worked with the Optimates (conservative approach) in the Senate and tried to support Cicero as much as possible. In fact, following the Catiline conspiracy, Clodius even joined several other young nobles and equites in surrounding Cicero to give him protection in the style of bodyguards. Furthermore, one of Clodius' sisters tried to persuade Cicero to divorce his wife Terentia in order to marry her instead!
The Bona Dea Scandal
Bona Dea (Good Goddess) was the name given to a goddess in Rome who was associated with fertility and chastity. Men were not allowed to participate in any of their religious celebrations and were not even allowed to know the goddess' real name. There were two festivals; one was held in the temple on the Aventine Hill whilst the other was hosted by a senior Annual Magistrate. The festivals were attended by select women of elite families and their female attendants. The cults in Rome were lead by the Vestal Virgins (priestesses of Vesta).
In 62 BC, the celebrations were hosted by Pompeia, Julius Caesar's wife. Clodius was accused of dressing as a woman in order to seduce Pompeia. However, he was discovered and the celebrations cancelled. After an investigation, the Senate and the pontifices charged Clodius with incestum (violating ritual purity). Numerous household slaves claimed Clodius had incest with his sister Clodia. On top of this, Cicero's wife Terentia encouraged Cicero to testify against Clodius as he had tried to prosecute her half-sister, Fabia, on a charge of incestum with Catiline. Caesar's mother (Aurelia) and his sister both also testified to Clodius' offense. Caesar himself tried to avoid any criticism of Clodius and even divorced his wofe to avoid suspicion and rumours.
Cicero thought long and hard about testifying against Clodius given that he had supported him earlier in his career. However, the demands from both Terentia, and the growing dispute between Lucullus (who led the prosecution) and Pompey eventually encouraged him to testify.
However, Crassus bribed the jury to acquit Clodius of any wrongdoing and so, for the rest of Clodius' career, he became grateful and a close ally of both Crassus and Caser (as he had tried to support him).
In 62 BC, the celebrations were hosted by Pompeia, Julius Caesar's wife. Clodius was accused of dressing as a woman in order to seduce Pompeia. However, he was discovered and the celebrations cancelled. After an investigation, the Senate and the pontifices charged Clodius with incestum (violating ritual purity). Numerous household slaves claimed Clodius had incest with his sister Clodia. On top of this, Cicero's wife Terentia encouraged Cicero to testify against Clodius as he had tried to prosecute her half-sister, Fabia, on a charge of incestum with Catiline. Caesar's mother (Aurelia) and his sister both also testified to Clodius' offense. Caesar himself tried to avoid any criticism of Clodius and even divorced his wofe to avoid suspicion and rumours.
Cicero thought long and hard about testifying against Clodius given that he had supported him earlier in his career. However, the demands from both Terentia, and the growing dispute between Lucullus (who led the prosecution) and Pompey eventually encouraged him to testify.
However, Crassus bribed the jury to acquit Clodius of any wrongdoing and so, for the rest of Clodius' career, he became grateful and a close ally of both Crassus and Caser (as he had tried to support him).
Leges Clodiae
In 58 BC, Clodius was elected as one of the tribunes. He introduced the Lex Clodia de Civibus Romanis Interemptis which punished anyone who would offer "water and fire" to somebody who had executed a Roman citizen without a trial. As consul, Cicero had executed those who had participated in the Catiline conspiracy without trial. This was a way of exiling Cicero without needing to try him first. Caesar, a populares senator, supported Clodius in this as Cicero was one of the leaders of the optimates in the Senate. Despite asking Pompey and other senators for support, as well as claiming that his actions were indemnified as he was serving as consul, Cicero was forced into exile.
Cicero left for Thessalonika (Salonika, Greece) and arrived in late-May of 58 BC. Clodius, who had been Cicero's neighbour, confiscated his property on behalf of the Senate and even purchased some of this land to extend his own property; his house was demolished and a Temple of Liberty was erected in its place. In a letter, Cicero claimed that only Atticus' "pleas have prevented me from suicide."
Cicero left for Thessalonika (Salonika, Greece) and arrived in late-May of 58 BC. Clodius, who had been Cicero's neighbour, confiscated his property on behalf of the Senate and even purchased some of this land to extend his own property; his house was demolished and a Temple of Liberty was erected in its place. In a letter, Cicero claimed that only Atticus' "pleas have prevented me from suicide."