In 70 BC, Marcus Tullius Cicero delivered the Verrine Orations, a series of speeches that prosecuted the corrupt governor Verres. These orations are considered a landmark in the development of legal rhetoric and public speaking, showcasing Cicero's skill in persuasion and argumentation. The case highlighted issues of corruption and governance in the Roman Republic, influencing subsequent legal practices and political discourse.

Cicero's Verrine Orations (70 BC) are not only a pinnacle of Latin oratory but also laid the groundwork for rhetorical poetry, influencing later poets such as Horace. The blend of persuasive speech and poetic form has resonated through centuries, shaping political verse.