10 PRO Q. GALLIO

After serving as aedile in 67 and praetor in 65 (when he presided at C. Cornelius’ trial: MRR 2:144 and 158; TLRR 209; 5–6 T 11.7), Q. Gallius was charged with corrupt electioneering the following year by M. Calidius, a skilled advocate (FRLO 140; Brut. 274–78; David 1992, 821–22), perhaps to avenge his father’s conviction when he was prosecuted by Gallius (T 4). Calidius included in the charge an attempt on his own life (TLRR 214). Gallius was one of four clients who are identified as men influential in elections and members of clubs whom Cicero had agreed to represent in the run-up to the consular elections of 64 (5–6 T 1). The matter seems to have come to trial after the election (Asc. 88.5C).¹ The point that emerges most clearly from the fragments is that Cicero made light of the charge of attempted murder by calling attention to Calidius’ matter-of-fact delivery (T 2, F 6). There were also remarks on the social and cultural milieu of the prosecutor, including a description of the scene in the aftermath of a luxurious banquet (F 1), criticism of an ignorant poet (F 2) and of someone (the prosecutor?) obtruding a Greek word (F 3). It is clear that Cicero is seeking to exploit cultural prejudices but difficult to say how he packaged the material