The Case for Aulus  Cluentius Habitus

Drama serioso composed and performed by

M. Cicero, Praetor in 66 B.C. 

Dramatis personae 

Aulus Cluentius Habitus-            Father to Cluentius

 Cluentia-                                      His Sister, Auntie to Cluentius

Aulus Cluentius Habitus-      Young man of Larinum; son of Cluentius                                                    

Cluentia-                        Sister of the above; Daughter to Cluentius 

Sassia-                          Mother of the above and last wife to Oppianicus.

Aurius Melinus-         2nd Husband and nephew to Sassia

Auria-                  Daughter of the above and Sassia.           

        Oppianicus -                A Villain of Larinum

        Oppianicus                  Son of the above; a prosecutor; Husband to Auria.

       C. Oppianicus              Brother of Oppianicus the Villain.

         Dinaea                          Wealthy Widow of Larinum

                        Aurius-

                        Aurius-             Her Children

                        Magius-

                        Magia -              (and 2nd Wife to Oppianicus)

Papia                           Wife of Magius; 3rd wife to Oppianicus.

        Assorted and sordid Slaves, Freedman, Doctors, Judges and Poisoners.

Scene:   Forum Romanum and Larinum

res gestae Oppianici

(The Accomplishments of Oppianicus)

1.            Arranged the murder of his wife Cluentia.

2.            Arranged the murder of his Brother Gaius.

3.            Arranged the murder of his sister-in-law and her child.

4.            Married Magia daughter of Dinaea.

5.            Generated a son, Oppianicus the prosecutor, by Magia who then died.

6.            Arranged the murders of two sons of Dinaea.

7.            Arranged the murder of Magius, last son of Dianaea.

8.            Paid the wife of Magius what she would receive from the estate of Magius if she produced a son.

9.            Procurred an abortion for the widow of  Magius.

10.          Married widow of Magius [Papia].

11.          Generated another son.

12.          Arranged the murder of Dinaea

13.          Divorced Papia.

14.          Married Novia.

15.          Generated another son.

16.          Arranged the proscription of Aurius Melinus, husband of Sassia, and of Melinus' son from his first marriage.

17.          Divorced Novia.

18.          Arranged the murder of his sons by Papia and Novia.

19.          Married Sassia.

20.          Arranged to poison Cluentius, son of Sassia.

21.          Bribed the court that convicted him of attempting to poison Cluentius.  (74  BC)

22.          Died.   (72 BC)

res gestae Sassiae

(The Accomplishments of Sassia)

1.            Married Cluentius Habitus of Larinium

2.            Gave birth to his son Cluentius, the defendant.

3.            Gave birth to Cluentia.

4.            Was widowed at the death of her Husband Cluentius

5.            Arranged the marriage of Cluentia to her Nephew Aurius Melinus.

6.            Seduced Aurius Melinus.

7.            Became the 3rd wife of her Nephew, Aurius Melinus.

8.            Gave birth to Auria.

9.            Was widowed at the death of her nephew/husband and his son.

10.          Successfully demanded the death of the younger sons of Oppianicus.

11.          Married Oppianicus.

12.          Was widowed again at the death of Oppianicus.

13.          Arranged the marriage of Oppianicus the son to her daughter Auria.

14.          Began to investigate the death of Oppianicus her husband.

15.         Relentlessly and brutally tortured slaves whom she claimed were implicated in the death of her husband.

16.          Convinced Oppianicus her son-in-law to prosecute Cluentius her son for the murder of  Oppianicus her husband.

17.          Was present at Cicero's performance in 66.